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Notre Dame alum Saxer just misses making Olympics in Pole Vault

Posted: 3:58 PM Jun 24, 2012
Reporter: Angelo Di Carlo

Notre Dame alum Saxer just misses making Olympics in Pole Vault

For 2009 Notre Dame graduate Mary Saxer her Olympic dream came to one last attempt at the Pole Vault.

At the U.S. Track & Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon Sunday, Saxer had missed clearing the height of 14 feet, 11 inches. That meant she had one last chance. Clear it and she's headed to London--miss it and she must wait four more years for her next shot to be an Olympian.

Saxer just missed.

"It just hurts really bad," Saxer said afterward.

Saxer's 2nd attempt at 14 feet, 11 inches was her best shot. Her full body cleared the pole but her finger tips knocked it off as she came over top.

"I was over and I clipped it on the way down and it's really unfortunate," Saxer said sighing.

Because of a tiebreaker, she finished 4th. The top three finishers represent team USA at the Olympics. Lacy Janson also failed to clear 14 feet, 11 inches but because Janson missed on less attempts throughout the day, Janson earned the final spot alongside Jennifer Suhr and Becky Holliday.