Sarah Bell breaks own school record at NCAA meet

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Severe weather caused Friday’s action to be interrupted, but it didn’t prevent Vanderbilt freshman Sarah Bell from establishing a new school record.

Competing on the second day of the NCAA East Preliminary in Jacksonville, Fla., Bell broke her own record in the pole vault by clearing 13-03.5.

Bell, who was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team, finished in a tie for 20th place overall and was 11th in her flight.

Bell and three of her teammates — Brionne Williams, Amira Joseph and Rebecca Chandler — were in action Friday as the Commodores continue vying for spots at the NCAA Championships.

Bell set a new school record in the pole vault two weeks ago at the SEC Championships by clearing 13-03.5. During Friday’s meet, she opened her day by clearing 12-9.5 and then followed that up with her record-setting performance.

Williams, the decorated Vanderbilt senior, finished 19th overall, and 12th in her flight, in the high jump at 5-9.75. She cleared 5-7.75 on her opening jump.

Vanderbilt had two representatives in the Steeplechase on Friday: Chandler — the school record-holder in the event — and Joseph.

Chandler finished 34th with a time of 10:35.83, and Joseph finished 36th with a time of 10:37.39. The top three times in each heat, along with the next-best three times, qualified for the NCAA Championships.

On Saturday, Simone Charley will compete in the triple jump.

She owns the school record in the event with a mark of 41-10.75 at the SEC meet.