The University of Akron Athletics
Barber set to jump against star-studded field at Drake Relays
March 26 | Track & Field
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AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron junior pole vaulter Shawn Barber (Kingwood, Texas) has joined a star-studded field set to compete at what is being billed the Beijing World Championship Preview at the 106th running of the Drake Relays on April 25 inside Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
Barber will test his mettle against the top-rated pole vaulter in the world and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist in Renaud Lavillenie of France. Lavillenie is the lone vaulter in the world this year to jump higher than Barber.
The encounter will mark the second-ever meeting between Barber and Lavillenie, who previously squared off on August 12, 2013 at World Championships in Moscow, Russia. Lavillenie finished second in the competition clearing 19-3.75 (5.89m), while Barber, then a junior competitor, eclipsed 17-8.50 (5.40m).
"This is a dream for Shawn to go against the best in the world," Akron head track and field coach Dennis Mitchell commented. "The last time they competed against each other was two years ago in Moscow in the world championships prelims when Shawn was junior athlete."
Barber, who is currently ranked 12th in the world in the pole vault, is slated to go against a field that includes; top-ranked Lavillenie, No. 9 Mark Hollis (USA), No. 13 Sam Kendricks (USA), No. 17 Steve Lewis (USA), No. 22 Brad Walker (USA), No. 24 Karsten Dilla (Germany), No. 36 Valentin Lavillenie (France), No. 38 Jack Whitt (USA), No. 93 Jordan Scott (USA), No. 62 Jeff Coover (USA) and Ashton Eaton (USA).
In head-to-head indoor competitions this season, Barber has bettered Hollis, Kendricks, Scott and Whitt.
Barber opens his outdoor campaign on Saturday, March 28, in the elite pole vault competition at the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas. Competition is slated to begin at 2:45 p.m. ET. Barber is scheduled to be challenged by Kendricks and Whitt as well as an encounter with Jake Blankenship from Tennessee, who finished second to Barber at the NCAA Championship in Fayetteville, Ark., on March 13.
