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WE SAW YOU: Third Annual Buck Ewing Beale Street Pole Vault

Some of the best pole vaulters in the wold competed.

What was it like to pole vault on a 90-plus-degree afternoon on Beale Street? 

World championship finalist Cole Walsh, 29, says, “Well, I’m from Arizona and we train in about 110 [degrees], so it was a cool night for me. I went through four waters and four Gatorades in the three hours we were there. Staying hydrated really kept me able to jump. It was hot. But I’m used to a little bit more.”

Austin Miller
Ava Williams, Kristin Walters, and Sina Williams
Sam Kendricks and Marissa Kalsey carrying Skye Moll

Walsh vaulted in the Third Annual Buck Ewing Beale Street Pole Vault at the Ed Murphy Classic, held July 13th. 

“The game is who can get on the stiffest pole possible to spring them over the bar. So, we’re all trying to use the next pole in our bag ’cause it might give us a little bit more to clear the bar.”

Cole Walsh and Zach Bradford
Sandi Morris and Kerry Morris

Walsh ate at The Rendezvous. “We had some brisket and ribs the night before the meet. And we were able to train in one of the nearby parks right on the river. Memphis is a really beautiful city and we were able to enjoy it a little bit before we competed.” 

By Michael Donahue

Michael Donahue began his career in 1975 at the now-defunct Memphis Press-Scimitar and moved to The Commercial Appeal in 1984, where he wrote about food and dining, music, and covered social events until early 2017, when he joined Contemporary Media.