The Post-Journal

Suhr Clears Best Height In World This Year In Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — At 37 years old, Jenn Suhr is still making history.

The Fredonia native broke her own meet record by clearing 16 feet, 1 1/4 inches to win the pole vault at this weekend’s 92nd annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on the campus of the University of Texas.

Suhr then failed in three attempts to clear 16 feet, 5 1/4 inches, which would have been an outdoor American record.

By clearing 16 feet, 1 1/4 inches, Suhr took over the lead worldwide this year.

“Absolutely defying the odds to lead the world at age 37,” Jenn’s husband and coach, Rick, said on Facebook. “It’s funny how some don’t respect this! I can tell you people have no idea how hard it is to jump this height and at this age, in fact no one has ever done this. This height has won the majority of Olympics and World Championships.

“When a vaulter turns 37 they can just how difficult. So proud to capture the world lead for Jenn. I didn’t know if I would ever see a woman jump 16 feet in my lifetime,” Rick continued. “Now my wife has done it over 20 times in 13 years. Tremendous dedication and work. This was a very talented meet with so many pros and All-Americans.”

Suhr won Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games and Olympic silver at the 2008 Beijing Games, but came down with a severe illness during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and finished in seventh place.

She is a 17-time United States national champion with seven indoor and 10 outdoor titles, and also holds the world record in the indoor pole vault at a height of 16 feet, 6 inches.


The additional financial assistance of the community is critical to the success of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame.
We gratefully acknowledge these individuals and organizations for their generous support.