Moll produces 15-3 (4.65m) clearance on her second attempt to surpass 2015 mark of 15-2.75 (4.64m) by New Zealand’s McCartney, becomes youngest women’s pole vault finalist in meet history by joining U.S. teammates Moon, Morris and Williams in qualifying for championship in Budapest

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Photos by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport, Kim Spir

Hana Moll is not only the youngest finalist in the women’s pole vault in World Athletics Championships history, she also has new all-time prep and World Under-20 outdoor clearances of 15 feet, 3 inches (4.65m) as well, following her performance in Monday’s qualifying round at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.

Moll, at 18 years and 203 days, surpassed the previous mark established by Venezuela’s Robeilys Peinado, who was 19 years and 253 days when she shared the bronze medal with Cuba’s Yarisley Silva in 2017 in London.

Peinado also qualified for Wednesday’s championship by clearing 15-3. 

Moll also eclipsed the 2015 World U20 outdoor record of 15-2.75 (4.64m) achieved by New Zealand’s Eliza McCartney in Auckland.

Moll, a University of Washington signee, joined fellow Americans Katie Moon, Sandi Morris and Bridget Williams in advancing to Wednesday’s final, meaning the United States accounts for one-third of the 12 athletes competing for the medals.

Moll, a graduate of Capital High in Olympia, Wash., cleared 15-3 on her second attempt after making the opening four heights each on her first opportunity.

She surpassed her own American U20 and prep all-time outdoor performances of 15-1.50 (4.61m) from July 9 at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

The 15-3 clearance also elevated Hana Moll ahead of her twin sister Amanda on the absolute World U20 and prep all-time marks. Amanda Moll achieved a 15-1.50 indoor clearance Jan. 13 at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev.

Finland’s Wilma Murto, who also qualified for Wednesday’s final by clearing 15-3, boasts the absolute World U20 performance with her 15-5.50 (4.71m) indoor clearance from 2016 in Zweibrucken, Germany.

Murto also cleared 15-3.50 (4.66m) indoors in 2017 in Tignes, France, with Moll’s effort Monday ranking third on the absolute World U20 all-time performance list.