Gabe Baldwin & Christi Lehman (NE)

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Published Saturday
April 30, 2005

Husker vaulters golden

BY KEVIN WHITE
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


DES MOINES - Count Gable Baldwin and Christi Lehman among the fans of the Drake Relays.

The Nebraska pole vaulters swept the university-college competitions Friday before an enthusiastic crowd at Drake Stadium.

Baldwin, a sophomore out of Grand Island Central Catholic, set a personal best with a clearance of 18 feet, 21/2 inches to best teammate Ray Scotten, who placed second at 17-101/2.

Lehman, a senior from Newton, Kan., won the women's competition with a height of 12 feet, 111/2 inches.

Baldwin called it the biggest victory of his young career. His outdoor best as a freshman was 17-03/4.

"Everybody kept telling me I was due for something like this," Baldwin said.

It was only the second time he has beaten Scotten.

"We're competitive, but there's no bad feelings," said Baldwin, who cleared 16-11 last week at the Kansas Relays. "We push each other and supported each other today."

The Husker said he was energized by the Drake crowd.

"This is probably one of the best places to jump, because they don't have high school pole vault," he said. "They get real excited about the pole vault. You get the support of the whole crowd when they announce it on the intercom."

Lehman's winning height was six inches better than the next eight women's competitors, who all cleared 12-51/2 before bowing out.

"It wasn't one of my better days jumping," Lehman said. "But it's a fast runway, and it's nice to compete here because the crowds are large and it's a cool atmosphere."

Lehman made her Drake debut a year ago, also jumping 12-111/2. But last year that mark was only good for second behind teammate Jenny Green.

Lehman picked up All-America honors a year ago by tying for ninth at the NCAA indoor championships. She's gearing for the nearing Big 12 and NCAA championships.

"Our training cycles are a little different, depending on the meet, but I was just happy to get a win today," Lehman said.

Also from Nebraska, Becky Breisch competed unattached in the university-college discus. The reigning NCAA outdoor discus champion is sitting out the season after having shoulder surgery, but threw 202-9 Friday to become the unofficial winner of the event.

The official winner, Alabama junior Beth Mallory, threw 182-4. Nebraska sophomore Dace Ruskule took second at 179-3.

"My goal for this summer is to keep getting better and eventually try out for Team USA," Breisch said. "I will definitely be back next year to defend my championship and represent the University of Nebraska."

Also from Nebraska, sophomore Danute Ceika placed second in the university-college 800 in 2:09.23, and sophomore Kayla Wilkinson took second in the javelin at 174-4.


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Picture of Christi at http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=1399494