DES MOINES, Iowa – Renaud Lavillenie, the men's pole vault World Record holder, and Demi Payne from Stephen F. Austin, won the inaugural Hy-Vee Street Vault on Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines on Wednesday, April 22.

Lavillenie and Marion Lotout were one of six pairs teamed up together in the men's and women's team competition. The French duo recorded a combined height of 32 feet 8 inches.

Lavillenie has become a regular at the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee, as he has competed at the last two Relays and won last year's men's Moscow World Championship Rematch pole vault. He won Wednesday's street vault event by clearing 19-0.25 on his first attempt at the height before missing at 19-4.75.

“It was great to be back in Des Moines, and this experience in downtown was pretty good. Near the end it got to be a bit cold, but it was a good atmosphere and also some good vaults,” Lavillenie said. “I am pleased that many people came to watch pole vault because it's not something we usually see at events.”

Payne, who is the daughter of former Drake Relays champion and Hall of Fame member, Bill Payne, vaulted an outdoor personal best of 15-1.5, claiming the women's title. Payne, who holds the indoor collegiate record of 15-7, barely missed on all three of her attempts to set the collegiate outdoor record at 15-2.25.

“I don't think I've been to something as awesome as this,” said Payne. “The crowd was getting into it with the music. It was a great place to jump. I wish I would have gotten that record, but I am jumping on Friday so hopefully I'll get it then.”

Brad Walker came in second on the men's side as he cleared 18-8.25 and missed all three attempts to keep up with Lavillenie. Akron's Shawn Barber and Steven Lewis tied for third as they both cleared 17-6.5 on their first attempts.

Katerina Stefanidi came in second for the women, vaulting 14-9.5. Marion Fiack and Lotout tied for third as they both cleared 13-7.75 on their second attempts.