Photo above: Jenn Stuczynski has launched a successful career in the Women's Pole Vault. A former collegiate basketball player, she first tried the pole vault in 2004.

See Full Coverage of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field courtesy of the Running Network and American Track & Field magazine.

Jenn Stuczynski Named Athlete of the Week by USATF
Jenn Stuczynski has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after setting an American Record (AR) in winning the women's pole vault on Sunday, July 6 at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials--Track & Field at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR.

The only vaulter to clear 4.65 meters/15 feet 3.75 inches during the competition, Stuczynski had the bar raised to 4.76m/15-7.5 in an attempt to break Stacy Dragila's 2004 Olympic Trials record of 4.75m/15-7. She easily soared over it on her first attempt, then raised the bar to 4.92m/16-1.75, 1 cm better than her own American record of 4.91m/16-1.5 set May 18 at the adidas Track Classic. After a close miss on her first attempt and an even closer miss on her second, she easily cleared the bar on her third try. Stuczynski now owns the top three clearances in the world this outdoor season.

American Jenn Stuczynski and World Record holder (5.03m) Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia will meet for the first time this season, prior to the Beijing Olympic Games, on Tuesday, July 22 at the DN Galan (IAAF Super Grand Prix) meet in Stockholm, Sweden. The athletic superstar, Isinbayeva, made her 2008 season debut in the Women's Pole Pole at the Golden Gala Meet in Rome, Italy on Friday, July 11. Isinbayeva's offered a memorable performance at the IAAF Golden League event as she cleared 5.03m and set another World Record (from 5.01m, 2005).

Also in the last week, Anna Willard broke the American record and Olympic Trials record in the women's steeplechase, running 9:27.59 to break the AR of 9:28.75 run by Lisa Galaviz last year.

In the first week of the Olympic Trials, Tyson Gay broke the American record in quarterfinals the men's 100m (9.77) and Hyleas Fountain set an American heptathlon event record for the 100m hurdles (12.65).

Now in its seventh year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2008 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 8, Cheryl Foody; January 16, Nick Vena; January 22, Chanelle Price; January 29, Antwon Hicks; February 5, Adam Nelson; February 12, Lolo Jones; February 19, Adam Nelson; February 27, Michael Rodgers; March 3, Thomas Morgan; March 11, Bryan Clay; March 18, Bianca Knight; March 25, Phil Raschker; April 1, Orville Rogers; April 8, Lisa Koll; April 15, Ryan Hall, April 22, Deena Kastor; April 29, Leo Manzano; May 6, Shalane Flanagan; May 13, Bonnie Richardson; May 20, Jenn Stuczynski; May 27, Chanelle Price; June 3, German Fernandez; June 10, Brad Walker; June 18; Jenny Barringer; July 11, Jenn Stuczynski.

2008 Women's Pole Vault

  1 Jennifer Stuczynski          adidas                   4.92m  16-01.75
  2 April Steiner Bennett        adidas                   4.60m   15-01.00
  3 Erica Bartolina              unattached               4.55m   14-11.00
  4 Jillian Schwartz             Nike                     4.50m   14-09.00
  5 Tracy O'Hara                 unattached               4.50m   14-09.00
  6 Becky Holliday               unattached               4.50m   14-09.00
  7 Mary Vincent                 Asics                    4.40m   14-05.25
  7 Chelsea Johnson              Nike                     4.40m   14-05.25
  7 Stacy Dragila                Nike                     4.40m   14-05.25
 10 Lacy Janson                  Nike                     4.40m   14-05.25
 10 Melinda Owen                 Idaho                    4.40m   14-05.25

The U.S. Olympic Trials-Track & Field, a national championship meet conducted by United States Track & Field (USATF), was held from Friday, June 27 through Sunday, July 6 in Eugene, OR. See USATF's event Web site for complete results.