West Seattle senior, representing Northwest Pole Vault Club and Seattle Speed Track Club, also surpasses American U-20 indoor mark at Pacific Lutheran; Cunliffe scheduled to start outdoor season at 92nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays and 52nd Arcadia Invitational

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Despite boasting the top girls pole vault clearance in the country, Chloe Cunliffe decided not to conclude her final high school indoor season March 10 at New Balance Nationals at The Armory in New York City.

Instead, the West Seattle WA senior capped her final indoor prep competition with the highest all-time clearance, both in national high school and American U-20 history.

Cunliffe, representing Northwest Pole Vault Club and Seattle Speed Track Club, cleared 14 feet, 9 inches (4.50m) on her second attempt Sunday at Pat Licari’s indoor all-comers event at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash.

Cunliffe, a Washington State signee, eclipsed the national high school indoor record of 14-4 (4.36m) set in 2015 by current Arkansas senior Tori Hoggard, then Tori Weeks competing at Cabot High.

Cunliffe also surpassed the American U-20 indoor mark of 14-4.75 (4.39m) achieved Jan. 12 by Stephen F. Austin freshman Nastassja Campbell. She likely won’t be credited with the American U-20 record since only one official was present and the USATF traditionally requires three to be present at a competition in order to validate its records.

After successfully clearing 13-1.50 (4.00m) and 13-7.25 (4.15m), before missing her only attempt at 14-1.25 (4.30m), Cunliffe then achieved a personal best with a 14-5.25 (4.40m) clearance on her first try, setting up her opportunity at 14-9.

That clearance elevated her to No. 12 among American vaulters indoors this year and equal to the No. 29 performer in the world.

“I was going to go 14-3.50 (4.35m), but I knew I could get it, so I wanted to break the record by more,” Cunliffe said. “I attempted 15-1 (4.60m) and I know I can get that if I get on my actual big poles and have a little bit more energy, but it seems very realistic.”

Cunliffe, whose previous best indoor clearance of 14 feet (4.27m) came Jan. 19 at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, had been slowed since by a sore right wrist, which limited her activity in February.

Following a prolotherapy shot Feb. 14, Cunliffe was able to resume training and eventually competition.

“My wrist is so much better,” Cunliffe said. “(The shot) helped a lot and sped up the healing.”

Although Cunliffe’s clearance Sunday is higher than the overall national high school and American U-20 records of 14-7.50 (4.46m) set outdoors in 2015 by current Arkansas senior Lexi Jacobus – then Lexi Weeks representing Cabot High – she won’t have to wait long for opportunities to surpass that mark when her outdoor schedule gets underway March 29 at the 92nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin.

Cunliffe is also scheduled to vault April 6 at the 52nd Arcadia Invitational, looking to add to the meet’s legacy that already includes 31 national high school records. Her ultimate goal this spring remains becoming the first prep female vaulter to clear 15 feet.

“I can’t wait,” Cunliffe said. “I’m super excited.”