EUGENE, Ore.- Polson native Melinda Owen finished 13th in the Women’s Pole Vault at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., last Sunday.

Owen, a 2003 graduate of Polson High School, needed to clear the qualifying height of 14 feet 9 inches to have a shot at one of three possible spots on the U.S. Olympic Team.

EUGENE, Ore.- Polson native Melinda Owen finished 13th in the Women’s Pole Vault at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., last Sunday.

Owen, a 2003 graduate of Polson High School, needed to clear the qualifying height of 14 feet 9 inches to have a shot at one of three possible spots on the U.S. Olympic Team.

Owen cleared the competition’s opening height of 13 feet 11 1/4 inches on her second attempt, but could not surpass the next mark of 14 feet 5 1/4 inches.

Her personal record of 14 feet 11 inches would have tied for second place at the trials.

Though grappling with pain and disappointment, hope springs eternal for Owen. Recent postings on her blog and Twitter feed reflect feelings of “heartbreak... and new beginnings.”

Tremendously appreciative of the groundswell of support from friends and family near and far, Owen seems to be putting last weekend’s events in perspective and is setting new goals for her career, which she has made clear is far from over. Her latest blog entry concludes by stating that her sights are now set on making the U.S. World Championship Team for next summer’s competition in Moscow, Russia.