Walker, Waltz win at nationals

CARSON, Calif. – University High graduate Brad Walker captured the men’s pole vault and Post Falls’ Ian Waltz won the men’s discus during Thursday’s opening events of the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Home Depot Center.

Walker, who set the Pacific-10 Conference record while at the University of Washington, also won the indoor title in February.

Ranked fourth among American men entering the event, Walker soared over 18 feet, 10 1/4 inches on his first attempt. He made three attempts at 19-6, but came up shy.

Olympic gold medalist Tim Mack cleared only 17-8 1/2 in chilly, windy conditions and didn’t make the U.S. team for the Aug. 6-14 world championships in Helsinki, Finland. Nicholas Hysong and Toby Stevenson, both of whom cleared 18-6 1/2 , round out the team.

Walker said wind was a problem.

“It was pretty bad early on,” Walker said. “It calmed down when we got to some of the bigger heights.”

Waltz, formerly of Washington State, threw his winning 211-9 on his third attempt in the first round.

Waltz, second-place Jarred Rome (205-1) and third-place Carl Brown (202-8) qualified for Helsinki.