Track & Field: Bittersweet Taste of Success

TRACK & FIELD

For five months Pole Vaulter John Pennel, 25, has traveled—from São Paulo, Brazil, to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Los Angeles, to Boston, to Baltimore—all with the notion of be coming the first man ever to vault 17 ft. indoors. Along the way he competed in 16 meets, won his event in 13 of them, set two new world records (16 ft. 9½-in. and 16 ft. 10 in.). In Boston, he soared cleanly over the bar at 17 ft. i in., only to dislodge it with his arm on the way down. In Los Angeles, he cleared 16 ft. 10 in....

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