Bridget Williams, a professional pole vaulter representing Team ESSX and one of only seven female athletes in American history to clear at least 15-5.25 (4.71m) both indoors and outdoors, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing July 9 at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Williams, a 27-year-old graduate of Virginia who has placed third at the past two USATF Indoor Championships and boasts a lifetime-best clearance of 15-7.75 (4.77m), is looking to duplicate that feat at the outdoor final to secure a berth to compete at the World Athletics Championships, scheduled for Aug. 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary. She revisits a 15-5 (4.70m) effort June 3 at the Music City Track Carnival in Nashville, Tenn., in her final tuneup for the U.S. championship meet, and how beneficial the time since has been to regroup physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually in preparation for the competition in Oregon. Williams analyzes how valuable it was to have the opportunity in February to compete at a World Indoor Tour event in Great Britain, in addition to making her Diamond League debut in May in Doha, Qatar, and she shares the lessons learned from those experiences. She also revisits how the fatigue of a long indoor season led to a slow start during the outdoor schedule and how patience and perseverance were important reminders, before Williams returned to top form at the Music City event. Williams explains how meaningful it has been to train and travel with former Virginia Tech standout and 2022 NCAA Division 1 indoor champion Rachel Baxter, in addition to having the support of Hokies' coach Bob Phillips and all the vaulters in the program, as well as 2023 Division 1 outdoor champion Julia Fixsen. She shares how special it would be for her and Baxter to both make the U.S. roster for the World Championships, especially since the Americans are awarded four entries this summer in the women's pole vault, with Katie Moon having a bye as a result of capturing the gold medal last year in the World final at Hayward Field. Williams also expresses gratitude for the support of her husband James, coach Phillips, Team ESSX and her fellow training partners. She also emphasizes how significant her faith has been, especially in the past year, to help Williams navigate during some of the most challenging periods of her schedule. And Williams looks forward to a return to Europe for competition following the U.S. championship to gain more international experience.