Jul 2, 2024 By Jim Downey 3 min read

Marissa Kalsey cleared the first two heights Sunday afternoon, but faltered on the third to place 13th in the finals of the pole vault at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field.

The 2012 Waynesburg Central graduate needed all three attempts to clear the opening height of 4.28 meters (14-½). She cleared 4.43 meters (14-6¼) on her second attempt.

Kalsey bowed out of the finals at 4.53 meters (14-10¼).

“I was trying to stay in the same mindset (she had in the prelims). It had worked before,” said Kalsey. “I knew if I could get my body feeling as good as I could (I would vault well).

“I felt pretty good.”

“(The final) was much more of a fight. I was pretty close on my second attempt at 4.53 meters.”

Hempfield graduate Bridget Williams finished first with a vault of 4.73 meters (15-6¼). She was clean on her first five heights, opening at 4.43 meters.

Reigning Olympic champion Katie Moon finished second and Brynn King was third to round out the squad representing the United States in the Paris Summer Olympics.

Kalsey advanced to the final round with three clean attempts in Friday’s preliminary round.

Kalsey came in at the opening height of 4.20 meters (13-9½). She needed just one vault at 4.35 meters (14-3¼) and made it 3-for-3 after she cleared a career-best 4.50 meters (14-9).

Kalsey met her pre-meet goal with her final vault in the prelims.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been clean (on three consecutive heights). That was the goal. I talked to my coach and being clean would be key to getting into the finals,” said Kalsey, adding, “I was proud of that.

“I felt very collected and calm, even at the 4.50 (meter) bar. I was just zoned in on the first attempt.”

Kalsey’s teammate Gabriela Leon, Hana Moll and Chloe Timberg were the only other vaulters to cleanly clear all three heights.

Kalsey plans to vault in a couple more competitions this summer, but will step aside after the completion of the 2024 season.

“The plan was to wrap up this season and be finished. It’s been such a great journey. I have had so many great experiences,” explained Kalsey. “There’s an ending point. I’ve accomplished so much.(Qualifying for the Olympic trials) was a long-term goal I wanted to achieve.

“My coach told me to enjoy the journey. Look back, there’s so much about the experience and people you’ve met.”

Kalsey enjoyed the moment as she drew closer to her final vault in the finals.

“I was looking around the field. This is the biggest stadium I’ve vaulted in. I was just soaking it in. I did it multiple times,” said Kalsey. “Just weeks ago, I wasn’t going (to the trials). It was such a high to make it there after I barely made the finals.

“I was so proud to get that experience. It was the coolest of my career.”

Kalsey had family in the stadium, but also noted those supporters who were not in attendance.

“I had a lot of people rooting for me back home. I had a lot of community. People from my hometown and college alma mater were sending me messages, showing me their watch parties and congratulating me,” said Kalsey. “Thanks to everyone that followed me along my journey throughout the years.

“I’ve had the time of my life. I can’t describe how much joy it has brought me.

“It was such an honor to compete in the Olympic Trials. It was a dream come true.”