Misses mean a lot in pole vault and high jump competitions.
Iola High sophomore Michael Wilson and Labette County High senior Seth Trimmell went higher than the rest in Thursday’s pole vault field. They both cleared 12 feet but could go no higher.
Wilson is the 2012 Southeast Kansas League pole vault champion. He had fewer misses throughout the competition than did Trimmell.
“It’s nice to have a league title especially since we’re leaving the league and I’d not have another opportunity to win an SEK championship,” Wilson said.
Pole vaulting is a Wilson family tradition. Wilson’s sister was the SEK pole vault champion three years running. Wilson’s father, Larry, who has coaches pole vault for IHS, is second on the IHS boys’ honor roll.
“We had great day to compete. I had cleared 11’6” on Monday then this. It’s been a really good week,” Wilson said.
The Mustang 4×800-meter relay team could not pull it off at home in Iola’s final SEK track meet. The Mustangs were five-time defending league champions in the 4×800.
Iola senior Christian Kauth took the baton from sophomore Tyler Powelson, who ran the opening leg and put the Mustangs in front. Both had been on the 2011 championship relay team.
Chanute had too much at the end and gained the lead. Pittsburg passed Iola in the final few meter to take second.
Kauth, Powelson and sophomores Tyler McIntosh and Jeremy Spears settled for third place in the race. Their time was 8 minutes. 44. 11 seconds.
“We had a good day with a lot of personal-best marks and times. It was a good way to finish out our SEK competition,” said Marvin Smith, IHS head track coach.
“Our kids competed well and we had great help from the community and the school staff to run a smooth league meet.”
The Mustangs ended up fifth as a team with 62 points. Chanute won the SEK team championship with 125 points.
“Looking at the projected finish for the teams. Our girls and boys both scored 20 more points in the league meet than they were expected to, and that’s great,” Smith said.
In the pole vault, junior Justin Baker vaulted a personal-best 10’6” to claim the bronze medal. Freshman Terrill Smith finished seventh with a personal-best height of 9 feet.
