Factory Pole Vault meet at Gill welcomes masters
Gill Athletics, a sponsor of this humble site, is welcoming masters to its second annual Factory Pole Vault on June 16 in Champaign, Illinois. Despite the name, I gather it’s an outdoor competition, since the rain date is June 17. Prize money totals $2,500 — but I’m not sure how much the masters winners get. Gill reports: “The Youth/Masters/Open division will feature approximately 75 vaulters, from High School to Masters level vaulters (40-75 years old).” Entry information is posted here.
Gill’s news release continued:
Last year’s Factory Vault featured American record holder Jeff Hartwig, (6.03m/19’ 9 1/4”).
“We had a fantastic event last year and plan to build on that this year. We expect several more elite competitors this year as this is the last chance to compete before the USATF Outdoor Championships in Indianapolis” says Bryan Carrel, event organizer and Gill Athletics vault specialist.
Factory Vault competition schedule begins at 8:30 am with the Women’s Open 1 Division, followed by the Men’s Open 1 Division at 10:30 am. Elite Women’s competition begins at 12:30 pm, and Elite Men’s competition begins at 3:00 pm. Gill Athletics factory is located at 2808 Gemini Court, in the Apollo Industrial Park, accessible from North Market Street in Champaign. Admission is free and open to the public.
World’s Largest Manufacturer of Vaulting Poles
In addition to great competition, athletes are given the opportunity to tour the largest vaulting pole factory in the USA.
“Nearly two thirds of the vaulting poles in the world are built right here in Champaign, Illinois,” says Steve Vogelsang, VP Sales & Marketing. “Elite vaulters from around the world have visited our factory to see their poles built. This is a unique opportunity for vaulters to not just compete, but see how their poles are constructed.”
