Manson owns magical pole-vault mark

Former Jayhawk has cleared 18 feet for 20 consecutive years

Like baseball Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio and Cal Ripken, track standout Pat Manson owns a record that may never be broken.

“What Pat has done … there’s simply nothing to compare it to,” said Tim Weaver, meet director of the Kansas Relays, of former KU pole vaulter Manson clearing the world-class height of 18 feet for an unheard-of 20 consecutive years.

“What Cal Ripken accomplished (playing in 2,632 consecutive games) was certainly on a national scale more impressive,” Weaver said. “But as far as longevity … to vault at a world-class level, go over a bar 18, 19 feet in the air for 20 years, is a little insane, but also amazingly impressive.”

More impressive than Ripken’s streak or DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak? Manson is too humble for that argument.

“I will leave that for other people,” said the 37-year-old Superior, Colo., native, who will put his pole-vaulting prowess on display in the Kansas Relays pole vault at 2 p.m. today at Memorial Stadium.

“The only way to get the record is to start young, be very healthy and go long. I’ve been blessed to do all three things and receive great support from a lot of people,” Manson said.

Manson’s streak began at Aurora (Colo.) Central High and continued through his career at KU and beyond. Manson and a reporter from the Rocky Mountain News recently discussed possible threats to his throne:

Earl Bell, who is retired from competition and coaching in Jonesboro, Ark., previously held the record at 18 years.

Russia’s Rodion Gataullin, the second vaulter to clear 19-8 (Manson’s best is 19-2) had a 15-year streak, but also is retired.
France’s Jean Galfione, the 1996 Olympic champion, is at 14 years, but he’s also 34 years old.

Maybe the biggest threat to Manson’s mark is a standout here at the Relays — 2000 Olympic gold medalist Nick Hysong, 33, who has cleared 18 feet for 15 straight years.

“Pat’s the first to do it. It’s extremely difficult to do,” Hysong said Friday. “To clear 18 feet, you have to be in shape. To be in that kind of shape 20 years is unbelievable.”

“I think Bubka (Sergei, Olympic champion) only did it 17 years,” former KU vaulter and Olympian Scott Huffman said. “It’s amazing to do it that long, amazing.”

Manson takes the compliments in stride.

“It might stand for a long time,” Manson said. “But it is a record that will undoubtedly be broken. That’s what records are for.”

Manson, who runs his own business, Vault Mortgage Company, and coaches Denver-area pole vaulters, has cut back on his track schedule. In fact, the three-time Pan American Games champion, who was an alternate for the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, might be competing in his last Kansas Relays.

“I am so excited to come back to the Kansas Relays,” said Manson, who cleared 18 feet in a meet earlier this month. “I didn’t know for sure if I’d be in condition to come back, how my spring would pan out. I’m so excited things are working out, and I’m jumping well.”

He is ready for the next stage of his life, as he and wife Amy are raising their children, Max (4) and Mia (2). Amy is former Indiana track distance runner Amy Legacki.

“I have immensely enjoyed my vaulting,” Manson said, “and I’m moving on to my post-pole-vaulting life.”