A clear blue sky had nothing but pole vaulters flying through it Saturday afternoon at Memorial Park.

The Third Annual Patrick Kelly Street Vault drew pole vaulters from across the state and featured two-time NCAA National Indoor Champion, Ellie Rudy.

“What a perfect day for pole vaulting,” Tim Kelly, Patrick’s father said while attending the day’s activities.

Later in the afternoon, vaulters battled gusty winds that blew across the pole vault mat, creating difficult conditions.

Earlier, however, loud music blasted from mounted speakers and a cool breeze blew across the park as vaulters trotted down a platform-like runway.

“The music is the best part,” Rudy said, while lacing up her shoes in preparation for her jumps.

Before Rudy and other big-name vaulters like Helena’s Nick Morrow and Bobby Biskupiak took center stage, middle and high school athletes had their go at the bar.

“This is just a treat to watch,” said Donna Kropp, whose grandson Ryan Kropp was participating. “What a nice thing to do on a Saturday afternoon.”

Ryan cleared 10 feet, 6 inches, tying his personal best.

Sara Lubke, a Capital High teammate of Ryan’s, also cleared 10 feet, 6 inches.

Lubke was the Class AA state runner-up in pole vault this past spring and the event served as a warm-up for her. She leaves Tuesday for Omaha, Neb., and the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships.

“She should be in competition for a national title in her division,” said Todd Foster, Capital High pole vault coach and organizer of the Street Vault.

“We just want her to do well,” her mom, Linda Lubke said. “It will be a great experience.”

Vaulters threw free T-shirts into the crowd after their attempts while spectators munched on picnic lunches and burgers and hot dogs being grilled nearby.

The music pulsated throughout the park as smoke from the grill filled the air and chalk flew by from vaulters getting ready to make their jumps.

Some vaulters were clad in uniforms, but most had on casual sportswear and sunglasses. Vaulter Krisen Oaks sported funky braids in her hair.

“It’s just really cool to be in the middle of the city, jumping away from the track,” Oaks said.

Rudy’s hair was braided too, and after the Montana State University vaulter cleared 12 feet, 6 inches, she came off the mat with a smile.

“I love flying through the air,” she said. “Anything to get the kids involved.”

Families clad in swimsuits passed by the event with their small children pointing up at the high bar, squinting with wonder.

Pamela Twitchell had taken a bike ride and decided that a book, a spot in the shade and watching some pole vault would make up her afternoon.

“I love it,” she said, her finger holding her reading place. “I just move as the shade moves and still have a great view.”

Carrie and Bob Biskupiak brought their two dogs and the family’s camera, watching son Bobby from a park bench.

“There’s no tension here,” Carrie laughed, saying that she’s usually nervous during Bobby’s track meets at MSU.

“Between pole vaulting and snowboarding, I told my son he’s only happy when he’s 16-feet in the air!” Bob joked.

Audience members seemed more content to stay on the ground and listen to long-time pole vault enthusiast Marshal Price shout out competitor’s names and offer some occasional commentary.

“Don’t you want to get up there?” Price asked one fan. She giggled and shook her head, looking rather comfortable in her lawn chair.

With the American flag whipping in the wind at the YMCA, the competition began to pick as the afternoon wore on.

All four of the boy’s high school pole vault champions (Class AA, A, B and C) were in attendance, as well former University of Montana All-American Adam Bork.

Bork snapped a pole during warm-ups, and subsequently pulled out of the competition because of a swollen hand. Morrow won the overall event, clearing 15 feet, 6 inches.

“On the pole vault roadmap in the United Sates, Helena is a pretty big stop,” Foster said. “This whole state is pole vault country, and you can see it here today in the competitors we have.”

Foster busied himself with logistics throughout the day, putting the bar back up after it was knocked down, yelling encouragement to vaulters and even cracking his son’s back at one point.

The day continued on with laughs coming from the crowd and each vaulter competing against the ultimate opponent: him or herself.

“It’s all about them,” Foster said. “The whole day wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t because of them. These kids do it because they love this sport.”

Love, Bob Biskupiak said, is an understatement.

“It gets in their blood. They become obsessed. But it’s a family out there; they always support each other.”

Reporter Nick McCarvel:

nmccarvel@gmail.com