Laura Olson

AUSTIN, TX - University at Buffalo women's pole vaulter Laura Olson (Lyons, NY/Lyons) finished in a tie for 12th place among 18 of the nation's top athletes at Saturday's 77th Annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

Olson, UB's recordholder in the event, finished with a top mark of 12-3.50 (3.75m) to tie for 12th with Nebraska's Christi Lehman. Olson cleared the opening height but was unable to move on after failing on her three attempts at 12-9.50 (3.90m). Olson qualified for May's NCAA East Regionals last week after clearing the 12-9.50 (3.90m) mark.

UCLA's Chelsea Johnson won the event with a height of 14-9 (4.50m). The winning height was the best-ever mark by a collegiate athlete breaking 2003 NCAA outdoor champion Becky Holliday of Oregon's mark of 14-8 (4.47m). Johnson, who finished second at the 2004 NCAA Indoor Championships three weeks ago, also broke the meet and Myers Stadium records with the vault.