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World Champion: Clodfelter brings home gold in pole vault
GOTHENBURG, Sweden — The sport of pole vaulting is quite literally about overcoming obstacles.
On Thursday, Chet Clodfelter had a couple of extra obstacles in his way but managed to overcome it all on the way to a pole vault world championship at the World Masters Athletic Championship.
With a vault of 3.55 meters (11 feet, 7 inches), Clodfelter bested a field of 22 pole vaulters from around the world in the men’s 60-65 years old competition.
Clodfelter’s winning height was .15 meters better than Jean Luc Duez of France and Marco Claudio Mastrolorenzi of Italy, who finished in second and third respectively at the height of 3.4 meters. They were the only three competitors to attempt the winning height.
Working against Clodfelter were the weather, which was damp and chilly, and the fact that he was competing on borrowed poles.
The latter factor is in spite of a local effort to raise money to ship Clodfelter’s own familiar poles to Sweden for the competition.
At last check, they were supposed to arrive at Clodfelter’s hotel at 3 p.m. local time. The competition took place at 2.
Still, it didn’t dampen Clodfelter’s resolve, nor the excitement of a group of supporters who gathered at the Swizzle Stick in downtown Greencastle to cheer from 4,200 miles away. Allison Leer, a big cheerleader of Clodfelter’s who helped organize the pole shipping effort, purchased the livestream package, while Almost Home/Swizzle Stick owner Gail Smith offered the use of her space.
A group of 10 or so trickled in and out throughout the morning.
“This is kind of exciting,” Leer said. “Wouldn’t it be exciting if he wins the gold … even more if he sets the record!”
While Clodfelter had his sights set on his age group world record of 4.32 meters, he said last month it would depend on a number of factors.
“That’s just a matter of if I’m not hurt and if I have a good day on poles I’m not familiar with,” Clodfelter told the Banner Graphic last month after setting the U.S. record in the event.
While his health didn’t appear to be a factor, weather probably didn’t help, as Clodfelter noted that at his age a bright, sunny day is best for his muscles and joints.
The borrowed poles also came into play. While he never attempted the world record height, following his winning vault, Clodfelter tried at 4.01 meters, as the record for the World Masters event is 4.0 meters.
Unfortunately, the longest pole he borrowed was not long enough for that height, according to wife Leslie. Clodfelter failed on all three attempts at the record.
The atmosphere at the Swizzle Stick was one of congeniality and simply supporting Putnam County’s own — the same sort of spirit that tried to get Clodfelter’s poles to him.
The fans saw much of the same as they watched the feed from Slottsskogsvallen stadium.
“I think that’s pretty cool, though, because each one of the athletes is helping the other athletes,” Jeff Sigworth noted.
“I’m glad they’re helping because somebody loaned Chet a pole,” Marilyn Culler replied.
The morning was filled with laughter and good-natured ribbing for those reveling in Clodfelter’s accomplishments.
“Good, that guy’s out,” one observer said after a competitor fell out of the competition.
“You guys are ruthless,” came the reply.
In the end, it was a happy crowd departing the Swizzle. One of their own will be bringing a gold medal back to Putnam County.
