Lightfoot's pole vault record earns him USATF Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS — Adding one centimeter to the existing American record in the men's pole vault*, KC Lightfoot (Lees Summit, Missouri/USATF Missouri Valley) earned recognition as the 21st USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2023.
 
The fourth-place finisher at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Lightfoot scaled 6.07m/19-11 on his second attempt at the Music City Track Carnival on June 2 in Nashville, Tennessee, bettering the AR of 6.06m/19-10.5 that was set by Sam Kendricks to win the USATF Championships in 2019.
 
Adding seven centimeters to his previous lifetime best, Lightfoot moved to No. 3 on the all-time world outdoor performer list and No. 4 on the combined indoor/outdoor list. He cleared his first three heights on the first try in Nashville before requiring two attempts at 5.92m/19-5. Lightfoot sailed over 6.00m/19-8.25 on his first vault to tie his PB, and then jumped into the history books.
 
Other top performances from last week:

• Shawnti Jackson broke the national high school record in the women's 100m with a 10.89 at the Music City Track Festival in Nashville. Her time makes her No. 4 on the all-time world U20 performer list.
• Noah Lyles ran a world-leading 19.67 to win the men's 200m at the Racers GP in Jamaica. It was his 34th career sub-20 clocking, equaling Usain Bolt for the most ever.
• Addy Wiley won the women's 1,500m at the Music City Track Carnival in 4:03.22 the fastest time ever run by a teenage American woman.

*Subject to verification by the USATF Records Committee
 
Now in its 22nd year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
 
2023 Winners: January 17, Emily Sisson; January 24, Ednah Kurgat; January 31, Woody Kincaid; February 7, Grant Holloway; February 14, Yared Nuguse; February 21, Anna Hall; February 28, Talitha Diggs; March 7, Alicia Monson; March 14, Jasmine Moore; March 21, Keyzelle Thomas; March 28, Camille Herron; April 4, Hillary Bor; April 11, Valarie Allman; April 18, Britton Wilson; April 25, Brooke Andersen; May 2, Gabby Thomas; May 9, Connor Burns; May 16, Britton Wilson; May 23, Brooke Andersen; May 30, Ryan Crouser; June 6, KC Lightfoot.
 
We welcome your nominations!
 
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org.
 
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