Oleson and Beattie Battle for U.S #1 Pole Vault Mark
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At the Ocean Breeze Elite Invitational, Victor Oleson delivered a performance for the record books, setting a new U.S. #1 mark in the pole vault with an astounding clearance of 17' 7.5". The vault not only secured his place at the top of the national rankings but also etched his name into history as the 11th-best indoor performer of all time.
Oleson's mark narrowly surpassed the previous U.S. #1 vault set earlier that same day by Luke Beattie at the Section 9 State Qualifier, who soared over 17' 7". Beattie's remarkable effort placed him just behind Oleson in both the current rankings and the all-time indoor list, where he now sits tied for 12th.
All-Time Boys Indoor Pole Vault Marks
| RANK | POINTS | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATE PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19-1.5 | LA Lafayette High | 2018 | |
| 2 | 18-0.5 | AL Scottsboro HS | 2023 | Adidas Track Nationals 1st F |
| 2 | 18-0.5 | IL Bloomington (H.S.) | 2018 | |
| 4 | 18-0 | NJ Davis (SJ) | 2018 | |
| 5 | 17-11.25 | IN Bloomington South High School | 2015 | |
| 6 | 17-11 | TX El Paso Franklin | 2015 | |
| 7 | 17-10.25 | LA Sumner | 2014 | |
| 8 | 17-9.25 | AR Mount Ida High School | 2011 | AVC Open 1st F |
| 9 | 17-9 | MO Lee's Summit High School | 2018 | |
| 10 | 17-8.5 | TX Texas Express TFC | 2024 | |
| 11 | 17-7.5 | VA St. Christopher's | 2026 | |
| 12 | 17-7 | TX Spring | 2012 | |
| 12 | 17-7 | KY Kaizen Pole Vault | 2023 | Eastern Indoors 1st F |
| 12 | 17-7 | TX China Spring | 2017 | |
| 12 | 17-7 | NY Warwick Valley | 2026 |
For Oleson, the achievement represented a three-inch improvement on his indoor personal best and stood as the third-best vault of his career across both indoor and outdoor competitions. Meanwhile, Beattie's performance signified a major breakthrough - his clearance of 17' 7" was a 5.5-inch personal best and only the second time he had ever cleared 17 feet in competition.
The duel between Oleson and Beattie showcased the depth of talent in American high school pole vaulting, with both athletes proving they are forces to be reckoned with on the national stage. As the indoor season progresses, all eyes will be on these two high-flyers to see how high they can go.