AUSTIN, TX. -- Lafayette (La.) High junior and Swedish national team member Armand Duplantis set a new World Junior record in the pole vault by clearing 19 feet, 4.25 inches on Saturday at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.
Duplantis won the competition and set a new outdoor all-time record by ... a nearly a foot.
A year ago, Duplantis cleared 18-1 outdoors to seventh spot all-time on the outdoor record list. The previous all-time best was held by Kansas City Park Hill's Chris Nilsen, who cleared 18-4.5 in 2016.
Duplantis' father, Greg, is ranked 11th all-time on the pole vault list, with a personal best height of 17-11.75.
The junior vaulted in the men's elite division, with Nike athletes Shawn Barber and Logan Cunningham, who finished second and third, respectively, and unattached athlete Reese Watson and University of Texas junior Parks McNeil.
Duplantis' mark also stands as a new Texas Relays meet record and Mike A. Myers Stadium record.
