George Mason University junior Mandissa Marshall easily captured the pole vault at the Colonial Athletic Association Outdoor Track Championships last weekend in Fairfax, Va.
Marshall (Crestwood) set a meet record with a 13-7 ½ effort to win the event by more than a foot. She captured the title last season as a sophomore with a 13-1 ½ effort.
“Mandissa was very excited to compete in the championships,” pole vault coach Kevin McGorty said. “She loves being in front of the home crowd (George Mason hosted the meet). Despite rain delays, she kept herself focused on first winning for the team and then chasing the meet record. She accomplished both.”
Marshall had two attempts at 14-feet but fell short. She holds the GMU record at 14-1 ¼ .
“Mandissa really wants to fix a few more things so that she is set to compete well in the NCAAs and hopefully the Olympic Trials,” McGorty said.
Marshall earned All-America honorable mention at the NCAAs last season.
The NCAA East Regionals will be held May 24-26 in Jacksonville, Fla., followed by the NCAA Championships on June 6-9 in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Olympic Trials on June 22-July 1 in Eugene, Ore.
By Bill Arsenault
http://timesleader.com/stories/Crestwood-alum-Marshall-vaults-to-top-of-Colonials-charts-ON-CAMPUS-BILL-ARSENAULT,148179
