West Seattle pole vaulter attempts to surpass her own Junior Olympic national record by adding to Washington all-time best in showdown with Stephen F. Austin signee Campbell

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Chloe Cunliffe enters the 52nd USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships as one of the most accomplished athletes competing during the week-long event in Greensboro, N.C.

But it’s been the experience gained from the only competition she didn’t win this year that could be most valuable in elevating the West Seattle High junior pole vaulter to a national championship Friday at North Carolina A&T’s Aggie Stadium.

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Cunliffe, representing Seattle Speed Track Club, set the 17-18 age division national Junior Olympic record July 7 when she cleared 14 feet (4.27m) at the USATF Region 13 Junior Olympic Championships at Summit High in Oregon.

In addition to breaking the Washington state record, Cunliffe also surpassed the USATF Junior Olympic all-time mark of 13-10.50 (4.23m) set in 2016 by Winthrop University’s Alina McDonald, representing KMR Athletics.

But her sixth-place effort June 17 at the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships in Indiana helped give Cunliffe greater perspective and motivation toward what it would take to win the 17-18 national title Friday.

“Of course, losing is never fun, but I took a negative and made into a positive,” said Cunliffe, who cleared 13-3.50 (4.05m) in Bloomington after winning the WIAA 3A state title May 26 with a 13-8.50 (4.17m) clearance.

“The level of competition was an eye opener to me for sure. Watching it in real time really inspired me to implement what was missing in my technique.”

Cunliffe not only responded by repeating as Region 13 champion, but becoming one of 13 female athletes in prep history to clear 14 feet outdoors.

She looks to become the only high school performer to reach that height twice this season after Nastassja Campbell of New Caney and Mackenzie Hayward of Lewisville Marcus both achieved the clearance March 31 at the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.

“It’s been some of the same stuff, more technical. I’ve trained a new eight-step (approach), which I love, but we aren’t sure if I’m going to use it at this meet,” Cunliffe said. “It all depends on the environment.”

Cunliffe will square off Friday with Campbell, a Stephen F. Austin signee, for the second time this summer.

Campbell, the Texas UIL 5A state champion, placed seventh at the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships with a 13-1.50 (4.00m) clearance.

“Good competition always inspires me to be my best,” Cunliffe said. “I’ve worked hard this season to fill the gaps in my technique and I plan to bring it all to this meet (Friday).”