2017 Texas Relays Final Results

AUSTIN, Texas–South Dakota senior Emily Grove was the top collegiate finisher in the women's pole vault to highlight Saturday's competition at the 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
 
Grove remained perfect through 14 feet, 9 inches, the height that tied her outdoor school record from the 2016 Olympic Trials. She missed all three attempts at a new personal best 15-1. Grove also moves to second in the nation with the height of 14-9. The event was won by 2012 Olympic gold medalist and American record holder, Jenn Suhr, with a meet record height of 15-6 ¼. Grove tied for the sixth-best height in Texas Relays history.
 
In a field with 10 athletes from the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships, freshman Chris Nilsen tied for third with a height of 18-4 ½. Five of the six remaining competitors dropped out of the competition at 18-8 ¼ with only Virginia Tech's Torben Laidig clearing the height on his third attempt.
 
Senior Danielle Waldner placed third in the shot put with a throw of 52-8 ¾ on her final attempt. The top five finishers launched their best marks on their sixth toss.
 
Freshman Samara Spencer took 10th in the long jump, one spot out of finals, with a leap of 19-0. Spencer's jump ranks ninth on USD's all-time charts. Spencer moves into a tie for 31st in the NCAA West Region.
 
South Dakota hosts its home opener, a dual meet with South Dakota State, next Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. at the Lillibridge Track Complex in Vermillion, S.D.