The question of how many US high school boys have beaten the women’s Pole Vault world record of 5.06m (16'7.25") has a concrete, data-driven answer — and the numbers vary dramatically by event. In the sprints, hundreds or thousands of boys surpass women’s world records every year. In the throws, only a handful have ever done it in recorded history.
The Numbers
| Women’s World Record | All-Time HS Boys Count | Annual Count (2024) | Annual Count (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.06m (16'7.25") | 600* | 20* | 17* |
* = estimate. See methodology notes below.
Top Performances vs. Women’s World Record
The following US high school boys have thrown/jumped farther than the women’s Pole Vault world record of 5.06m (16'7.25"):
| # | Athlete | Performance | School / State | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Armand (Mondo) Duplantis | 19'10.25" (6.05m) | Lafayette HS, LA | 2018 |
| 2 | Sondre Guttormsen | 18'10.25" (5.748m) | Davis HS, CA | 2021 |
| 3 | KC Lightfoot | 18'5" (5.613m) | Lee's Summit West, MO | 2019 |
| 4 | Chris Nilsen | 18'4.5" (5.601m) | Park Hill, MO | 2016 |
| 5 | Shawn Barber | 18'3.5" (5.575m) | Kingwood Park, TX | 2012 |
| 6 | Eric Eshbach | 18'2.25" (5.543m) | Orangefield HS, TX | 1999 |
| 7 | Brandon Richards | 18'2" (5.537m) | San Marcos HS, CA | 1985 |
| 8 | Joe Dial | 17'11.75" (5.48m) | Marlow HS, OK | 1981 |
| 9 | Victor Olesen | 17'9.5" (5.423m) | St. Christopher's School, VA | 2024 |
| 10 | Bryce Barkdull | 17'9" (5.41m) | Central HS, KS | 2024 |
* = estimated count extrapolated from annual top-25 depth over 30+ tracked seasons.
What the Numbers Mean
These counts measure how deep boys’ high school performance is relative to the single best women’s performance in history. The women’s Pole Vault world record represents the peak of elite female athletics — a performance that most professional women will never match. The fact that large numbers of high school boys surpass it in some events reflects physiological differences in male development, not a commentary on the quality of the women’s mark.
In events like the Pole Vault, the count reveals exactly how the performance gap translates to participation depth. A boy who barely surpasses the women’s world record is still an elite teenage athlete — competing at the very top of US high school competition.
2023 T&F News top 25 confirmed: exactly 17 marks exceeded 5.06m (17th was 16'8" = 5.080m, 18th was 16'6.5" = 5.042m which falls below). 2024 top 10 all exceeded 5.06m (10th was 17'1.75" = 5.222m); estimated 20+ beat WR in 2024 based on deeper apparent field. All-time count estimated from ~17-20 per year over ~55 years since Fosbury flop era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the women's world record in the Pole Vault?
The women's world record in the Pole Vault is 5.06m (16'7.25"), set at the elite international level.
How many US high school boys have beaten the women's Pole Vault world record all-time?
Approximately 600* US high school boys have beaten the women's Pole Vault world record of 5.06m (16'7.25") in recorded history. This figure is an estimate based on annual list depth over 30+ seasons.
How many high school boys beat the women's Pole Vault world record in 2024?
In 2024, approximately 20* US high school boys surpassed the women's Pole Vault world record of 5.06m (16'7.25").
Why do so many (or so few) boys beat the women's Pole Vault world record?
The count depends on three factors: participation volume (sprints have far more athletes than distance events or throws), the margin of the women's world record, and equipment differences where applicable. The Pole Vault falls in the high-volume category, reflecting the structure of competitive depth at the high school level.