Carson City ties to Sydney pole vault

Trivia quiz time: Who holds the men's pole vault record at Carson High School's Jim Frank Track and Field Complex?

The answer is Nick Hysong of Phoenix, Ariz., who soared 18-feet, 6-inches during an open competition at the Silver State Games on July 13, 1996.

Hysong vaulted on the big stage at the Summer Olympic Games in Sydney on Wednesday - competing on a pole manufactured by UCS Spirit in Carson City, no less - and even though he didn't set a record, he advanced to the finals. Not only that, Hysong's 18-8 clearance was the best mark in Group 2 and established him as a medal contender for Friday's final at Olympic Stadium.

"Both of our guys could win gold," UCS Spirit General Manager Steve Chappell said, referring to Hysong and Lawrence Johnson. "Nick has been jumping well all summer. He went through a period where never finished lower than third in any of the Grand Prix meets.

"We'll find out Friday morning (PDT) who's got it. I imagine it will come down to fewest misses."

Johnson cleared 18-6 to join Hysong in the finals.

"It was fun, but nerve-wracking. I made it through," said Hysong, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Sept. 12. "Every prelim, the objective isn't to jump as high as you can, it's to make the finals. I'm ready to go. I have a sore jump knee, but two days to rest it.

"I wish Chad (Harting) and Sergey (Bubka) could have made it. That would have been wonderful."

Harting, the third member of the U.S. contingent, cleared a non-qualifying 17-8 and Bubka, the only man to clear 20-feet, was a no-height victim.

Six vaulters cleared 18-8, including Dmitri Markov of Australia (formerly of Belarus), who uses UCS poles and visited Carson City earlier this summer.

Nine of the 13 finalists are UCS Spirit customers, according to Chappell. So is Stacy Dragila, the women's pole vault gold medal winner on Sunday.

Hysong finished second behind Johnson at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento in July - to show some foot speed, he ran 10.27 for 100 meters on July 8 in Flagstaff, Ariz. Hysong also tied for fourth at the 1999 World Championships. His personal record is 19-2, both indoors and outdoors.

And, of course, he is a record holder in Carson City.

"Wouldn't it be neat if the guy who holds the record in Carson City goes on and wins at the Olympics," Chappell said.