Kansas Sweeps the Pole Vault at Crimson and Gold Invitational

Saturday, December 6

Pittsburg, KS

Women: 1:00 PM | Men: 5:00 PM

University of Kansas

Crimson and Gold Invitational (Pole Vault)

Photo by: Anaya Boseman/Kansas Athletics

Kansas Sweeps the Pole Vault at Crimson and Gold Invitational

12/7/2025 12:10:00 PM | Track & Field

Pole Vault Results Crimson and Gold Invitational

PITTSBURG, Kan. - Kansas pole vaulters won both the men's and women's events at the Crimson and Gold Invitational on Saturday. Mason Meinershagen won the women's pole vault with a final clearance of 4.35 meters before Ashton Barkdull then tied the current top national mark of 5.70m to bring home the gold.

The meet went exactly as we had hoped it would go. Kansas vertical jumps coach Tom Hays said after the events. We felt really good about our progression and where we are at, and are hoping this can be a great season for us. Ashton [Barkdull] tied that national mark and that puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the country to know that we can compete and that they have to come and catch him.

The women's pole vault kicked off with sophomore Madi Snody and junior Mason Meinershagen representing the Jayhawks. The duo both cleared 3.85m, 3.95m and 4.05m on their first tries.

Snody was then unable to clear 4.15m, ending up in third place. Pittsburg State's Isabelle Peters and Meinershagen continued to battle it out for the top spot, with Peters clearing 4.15m on her second attempt and Meinershagen clearing it in one. Peters then failed the 4.25m jump while Meinershagen cleared it on yet again her first try.

Meiniershagen then cleared the next progression, 4.35m, on her third try but was unable to get over the 4.45m and ended in first place with 4.35m.

The men's pole vault was next up with Ashton Barkdull and Anthony Meacham competing for Kansas. The two skipped ahead all the way to 5.20m where Barkdull was able to clear it on his first try, and Meacham cleared it on his second.

Barkdull then cleared the 5.30m mark on his first try while Meacham got up and over on his third. The pair then jumped ahead to a 5.50m attempt where Barkdull yet again cleared it with ease on his first try. Meacham was unable to get over the bar cleanly, finishing with a 5.30m mark and in second place in the event.

Barkdull then continued to push the needle, clearing 5.60m on his first attempt and 5.70m on his second. Barkdull was unable to get over 5.80m, however his 5.70m mark tied the current best mark from all pole vaulters across the country. The clearance was his best indoor finish in his career, and ties him as the second best performer in Kansas history.

Coach Hays was encouraged by the meet and thought it gave them some more clarity on the season and how to move forward. Now that we can see in a competition what we are already able to do, it's only going to go up from here. Ashton's performance was amazing and the whole group truly did an excellent job. We can now attack practice a bit more aggressively and continue to apply pressure to then hopefully compete for a National Championship.

UP NEXT:
Kansas will have over a month off before they travel to Manhattan, Kan. for the Thane Baker invitational on Friday, January 16th. The meet is tentatively scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. CT with results available via FlashResults. Fans can stay current with the team and events by following the official Kansas Track & Field and Cross Country X or Instagram account @kansastfxc.