Diamond League Final: Morris, Šutej finish 2-3 in pole vault
ZURICH, Switzerland – Arkansas alums Sandi Morris and Tina Šutej finished second and third in the pole vault while competing in the 2022 Diamond League Final on Wednesday. In the shot put, Arkansas volunteer assistant Ryan Crouser placed second.
The two-day Diamond League Final at Weltklasse Zurich started with a few events being held in the city center at Sechselautenplatz. On Thursday, remaining events will be held in Letzigrund Stadium.
Morris cleared a height of 15-7.25 (4.76) as runner-up in the pole vault while Šutej finished third with a clearance of 15-1.5 (4.61).
Australian Nina Kennedy won the competition with a height of 15-9.25 (4.81) and secured the wild card for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
In the shot put, a massive throw of 76-2.75 (23.23) by Joe Kovacs bettered the 74-7.25 (22.74) generated by Crouser. Kovacs’ mark is the world leader for 2022 and broke the Diamond League record.
The career best by Kovacs makes him the No. 2 performer with the No. 3 performance on the all-time world list, trailing the world record and a secondary mark by Crouser.
Only one attempt was needed by Morris on her first three heights of 14-9.5 (4.51), 15-1.5 and 15-5.5 (4.71). Kennedy required a second attempt at 15-5.5. Then at the 15-7.25 bar, Kennedy cleared on a second attempt while Morris made it on her third attempt.
Kennedy moved into first place based on misses as the bar reached 15-9.25, where a third attempt clearance by Kennedy secured the victory when Morris missed at that height.
Šutej cleared three bars on first attempts, starting with 14-3.5 (4.36) and ending with 15-1.5, and then missed three tries at 15-5.5.
“I’m a bit disappointed about myself,” said Morris. “I was hoping to jump higher today. I felt like I was in form to do so. Some elements come into play and the pressure is there and I did not put it together in the end.
“I’m extremely happy for my friend Nina. It’s just so fun, out there jumping with everybody. I’m hungry for next year to come back and do some big things.”
Kennedy claimed Commonwealth gold this summer after placing third at the World Championships, where Morris claimed a silver medal in Eugene. Šutej placed fourth in the World Championship pole vault and then earned a bronze medal at the European Championships.
On having a competition in the Zurich city center, Morris noted: “As a pole vaulter I love it, I love street events, and high five with the fans.
“Now I’m finished. I’m excited to go home and get some rest. I will do indoors, so I will be focused for the U.S. championships with the next world indoors postponed.”
In the first round of the shot put, both Crouser and Kovacs equaled the meet record of 74-4.5 (22.67) established by Crouser in 2021. Kovacs hit his huge distance in round two while Crouser responded with his best mark of the day in round three.
In addition to contending for the World Championship wild card, prize money allotted in the Diamond League final included $30,000 for the winner, followed by $12,000 for second, $7,000 for third, down to $1,000 for eighth place.
