Stefanidi and Morris to Meet Again at Doha Diamond League Meeting

By Adam Kopet

The top two female pole vaulters of the past two years will meet again at the Doha Diamond League meeting, according to the IAAF.

Katerina Stefanidi is the reigning Olympic and outdoor world champion from Greece. She had a streak of 20 straight wins from Jan. 2017 through  Feb. 2018. She owns a best of 16-1.25 (4.91m), which she set last year at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in London.

Sandi Morris had finished second to Stefanidi at both the 2016 Olympics and the 2017 IAAF World Outdoor Championships. She also earned a silver at the 2016 World Indoor Championships. However, Morris ended Stefanidi's winning streak at the 2018 World Indoor Championships, winning her first global gold medal. Morris has a personal best of 16-4.75 (5.00m), making her one of only three women to clear that height in history.

Also in the field is Katie Nageotte. The American vaulter has been on a tear in 2018, winning the USATF Indoor Championships with a clearance of 16-1.25 (4.91m), an improvement of seven inches over her 2017 best. She went on to finish fifth at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships.

Both Morris and Nageotte will open their outdoor seasons next week at the Drake Relays.