Calkins: (Sky) walking in Memphis — as pole vaulters soar over Beale
Kristen Brown celebrates while landing during the pole vault portion of the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Matt Ludwig tumbles to the ground during the pole vault portion of the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. Ludwig won the men’s competition by clearing a height of 18 feet 8.75 inches. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Deakin Volz falls to the mat during the pole vault portion of the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Jill Marois makes her approach during the pole vault event at the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Kristen Brown gets a fist bump while waiting her turn in the pole vault portion of the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Kristen Brown clears the bar during the pole vault portion of the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Kristen Brown goes up for the bar during the pole vault event of the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Bridget Williams gets ready to pole vault in the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Bridget Williams celebrates after a winning pole vault in the Ed Murphey Classic on Beale Street, July 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
The organizers of the Ed Murphey Classic got a burst of inspiration this year. How about bringing the pole vaulting competition to the people? It made for a wildly entertaining Saturday night on Beale Street.
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Pole vault Beale Street Ed Murphey Classic Subscriber Only Beale Street Flippers Bridget Williams Dontavious Wallace Dave MilnerThank you for supporting local journalism.
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