World pole vault leader finalizes sponsorship deal in advance of trip to Europe

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Katie Nageotte, who captured her first pole vault title Sunday at the USATF Indoor Championships in New Mexico with a world-leading 16-1.25 (4.91m) clearance, signed a professional contract Wednesday with Nike.

Nageotte is represented by agent Karen Locke, who also represents Nike athlete Katerina Stefanidi of Greece, the reigning Olympic and IAAF World Outdoor Championships women's pole vault gold medalist.

"It honestly still hasn't set in yet," Nageotte said. "It's something I've always dreamed of and worked toward, but to have it actually happen just doesn't feel real. It's truly a dream come true."

Before she competes March 3 at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, U.K., Nageotte is entered Saturday in the All-Star Perche competition in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

In her sixth career attempt, Nageotte qualified for a U.S. national team to compete at a World Championship meet. She is only the fourth female athlete in history to clear 16-1.25 indoors and the sixth overall.

"I'm so excited to keep working to get that ranking even higher," Nageotte said. "I just think when you're a U.S. pole vaulter, it's so competitive and so tough that you've got to be on top to kind of be recognized."