Marleen Mülla, representing South Dakota University, achieved a remarkable feat at the Tyson Invitational by setting a new Estonian pole vault record of 4.60 meters, coming in second place at the event. This achievement surpasses her own previous record of 4.57 meters, which she set in May of the prior year. With this performance, Mülla ranks ninth in the world seasonal rankings, and her position improves in the lead-up to the indoor world championships scheduled for March, where she also holds the ninth spot in the rankings.

Despite her record-breaking performance, Mülla expressed mixed feelings about her accomplishment, stating that while she is happy, she feels there is still room for improvement in her jumps. She noted that not all her attempts have reached their full potential, but the positive trajectory of her season gives her confidence. Mülla's increasing comfort with heights of 4.50 meters and above indicates a promising future as she prepares for upcoming competitions.

Looking ahead, Mülla remains hopeful and focused on maintaining her upward momentum as she gears up for the next two competitions. The athletic community and fans alike are excited to see how she will build upon her success and whether she can meet the qualification standard of 4.70 meters for the upcoming world championships, where only twelve pole vaulters are expected to compete. Her journey highlights the evolving landscape of Estonian athletics and the potential for continued success on the world stage.