Olympic pole vault champion Jenn Suhr plans to compete at NYRR Millrose Games on Feb. 14 at the Armory New Balance Track & Field Center. It will be the first time Suhr has competed at the historic facility since the 2013 Millrose Games, when she edged out fellow American Kylie Hutson for the victory. 

 

The reigning Olympic gold medalist owns the Millrose building record at 4.64m along with Hutson. This year, Suhr will face off against two of the top 10 vaulters in the world, Mary Saxer and Greek champion Ekaterina Stefanidi. 

 

2014 proved to be an experimental year for Suhr who attempted to vault with a carbon fiber pole instead of the fiber glass-make. She found success and vaulted 4.71m on June 1 in London, which tied her for second on the world list. It was a strategic move for the World Indoor record-holder, who wanted to try the different pole during a non-championship year. 

 

Unfortunately during a routine practice in the midseason Diamond League break, Suhr was back home practicing when the pole shattered and cut her hand open. Despite the injury, Suhr managed to compete in three meets in August and September. Although her outdoor season’s best of 4.71m tied for second in the world, it was her worst season’s best mark since vaulting 4.66m in 2006. As a result, Suhr returned to the fiberglass pole for the 2015 season. 

 

Along with the Millrose Games, Suhr plans on competing at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Feb. 7.