Dragila’s Millrose Vault Breaks Indoor Record

Stacy Dragila took center stage at the Millrose Games Friday night, and performed like the star of the show should, breaking her world indoor pole vault record.

Dragila, winner of the first women’s Olympic pole vault title in Sydney, soared 15 feet 2 1/4 inches on her second try, breaking the mark of 15-1 3/4 she set last year in the USA Championships in Atlanta.

The record performance also matched the outdoor mark she set last year.

Not many of the 15,125 fans were left when Dragila, 29, set the record, but those who stayed were enthusiastic, and Dragila was grateful.

“They’re awesome for staying,” she said. “I wish they would travel with us everywhere.”

For the first time in the Millrose Games, the women vaulters competed after the men, putting the women in the spotlight--just where Dragila belonged.

Meanwhile, life could begin anew at 40 for Merlene Ottey and Johnny Gray.

Ottey, winner of eight Olympic medals and 14 world championship medals, sped to a scintillating victory in the women’s 60 meters.

The remarkable Gray, a four-time Olympian, showed he’s still among the best 800-meter runners in the world, winning his fifth Millrose title in a stirring finish with unheralded Daniel Caulfield of Ireland.

Gray finished in 1:50.4, smashing the Masters--over 40--record by four seconds. Caulfield, the 800 winner at Boston last weekend, was only one-hundreth of a second behind.