Dial Breaks Own American Vault Record

Joe Dial, taking advantage of the mile-high altitude, improved his American pole vault record by 1 1/2 inches Saturday with a jump of 19 feet 6 inches.

After breaking the American mark, Dial, 24, tried to surpass the world record of 19-8 3/4, set last year by Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union. But the wind at the University of New Mexico stadium shifted, and Dial missed two attempts at 20 feet.

Dial’s jump highlighted the Lobos World Record Invitational, which also featured world-class runners in the mile and 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Two New Mexico runners, Chuck Aragon and Richie Martinez, followed Padilla in 4:01.3 and 4.02,7, respectively, beating American record-holder Steve Scott and Irish record-holder Ray Flynn.

Olympic gold medalist Harvey Glance won the 100 in a wind-aided 10.03 seconds. Harvey McSwain of Phoenix was second in 10.10, followed by Greg Moore of Arizona State in 10.41.

Dwayne Evans won the 200 in 19.9, followed by McSwain at 20.1 and Moore at 20.7.