BOULDER, Colo. -- Rising senior Max Manson became the fourth pole vaulter in Stanford history to clear 18 feet, doing so at a small meet on June 22.
Manson, the Pac-12 runner-up, cleared 18-0 1/2 (5.50 meters) to shatter his previous best of 17-7 3/4 (5.38m), which he achieved twice indoors this year.
Manson moved up one spot on Stanford's all-time outdoor performers' list, to No. 4, edging past John Gash (17-8 1/2, 5.40, 1987). Manson is the first from Stanford over 18 feet in seven years, since Dylan Duvio cleared the same height to place third at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Eugene. Other Cardinal in the 18-foot club are 2004 Olympic silver medalist Toby Stevenson '00 and Graeme Hoste '08.
Manson didn't have much time to celebrate. A geological sciences major, Manson left the next day for a remote research trip in the Yukon.