Mike Vani Vaults To 3A Pole Vault Title and Record With 16′8″
Mike Vani, a senior from Merritt Island High School, lived out a dream on Friday, May 8th, 2009. Vani not only acheived his goal of winning a state pole vault championship, but raised a state record, that many people thought would stand for decades. Vani brought the state meet crowd together, both the spectator side of the stadium and the athlete side, as they rhythmically clapped their hands to will the young athlete over some very steep obstacles. After clearing bars at 13′, 13′6″, 14′, 14′6″, and 15′ all on his first attempt and all from 10 steps, 5 lefts, it was time to get serious.
Mike was methodical all year and knew the plan, win the meet then worry about vaulting high. The blue collar task of winning the state championship was complete, it was his chance to shine. As the bar was raised to 15′7″, Mike moved his run back to 12 steps, 6 lefts, which is the approach length that helped him clear 16′0.5″ at the district meet earlier in the year. At this point, there were no other events taking place. There was an intermission between prelims and finals, and all the other field events were complete. Mike came down the runway and easily made 15′7″. The next bar chosen was 16′1″ to try and better his own personal mark. After a first attempt miss, the crowd came alive and started “THE CLAP”. For those who have never experienced it, this is probably the most incredible form of motivation. Down the runway comes Vani, almost in stride with the rhythm of the clapping, and up and over he goes. The next bar would be the moment Vani had been waiting almost 4 years to arrive. A shot at the state record. He instructed the officials that the next bar would be 16′8″ and out came the tape measure. All state record jumps must be measured and verified. After all the measuring, it was time to see if Vani had what it took. On his first attempt, Vani appeared to have enough height, but came down on the bar. His second vault would be etched into the memory of all who saw it. As Vani came off the pole, his body seemed to just keep rising. He didn’t make it by an inch or two, he smoked it. This record jump would better the mark of 16′7″ set just one year earlier by Riley Egan, now at UCLA. It was an amazing vault and a treat for the crowd to witness. Vani, with a grip height of 14′8″ on his pole, had just vaulted 32″ over his top handhold. Although one of his attempts at 17′ was close, it was obvious that the day had taken it’s toll on Vani. His final vault occurred at about 6:45 p.m. and he began warming up at 3:00 p.m. Congratulations Mike, you earned it!
In another chapter of the 3A state pole vault championship, Trent Wiseman, a senior from Freedom High School in Tampa, overcame adversity and received the award for 4th place at 14′. Trent almost didn’t get to compete in the state meet as a senior due to a Swine Flu scare at Freedom High School earlier in the week. Freedom High School had shut its doors to the public and there were meetings of athletic directors and FHSAA executives to decide what course of action to take. This was a national headline, it was on the news, it was in all the papers. In the end, the Freedom athletes were allowed to participate at the state meet with the other athletes. I can’t imagine how hard this situation was on Trent psychologically throughout the week, but we are all proud of him for his achievement at the state meet.
As the hits keep coming, Brandon Bassett, a senior from Chiles High School, and David Shepherd, a junior from St. Thomas Aquinas also had unique stories. Brandon, competing in his third pole vault state championship, sported 3 individual medals at the end of the day. He earned 3rd place in the high jump with a jump of 6′8″, 7th in the triple jump with a jump of 44′4.25″, and 2nd in the pole vault with a vault of 14′6″. What a stud! This guy is going to make a great decathlete at USF in the years to come. David Shepherd, son of Cardinal Gibbons Hall of Fame athlete, David Shepherd, accomplished a personal best of 14′6″ and almost made 15′ at a meet that almost got away. Earlier in the track season, Shep broke the thumb on his right hand. I would love to report that he was saving a baby from a burning building, but he simply tripped and fell off the pole vault pit at a meet. Shep spent most of the season in a cast. Fortunately, the cast was removed a couple of weeks before the district meet and he was allowed to compete. David’s third place finish helped St. Thomas Aquinas win a second consecutive boys team title. What a great comeback story.
Official Results:
- 1st Place - Mike Vani, Senior, Merritt Island High, 16′8″ - A new state record
- 2nd Place - Brandon Bassett, Senior, Chiles High, 14′6″
- 3rd Place - David Shepherd, Junior, St. Thomas Aquinas High, 14′6″
- 4th Place - Trent Wiseman, Senior, Freedom High, 14′
- 5th Place - Harrison Stierwalt, Senior, Chiles High, 14′
- 6th Place - James Ort, Junior, Belleview High, 13′6″
- 7th Place - Steven Shifke, Plant High, 13′6″
- 8th Place - Buddy Austin, Lincoln High, 13′6″
- 8th Place - Codi Cooper, Freshman, Satellite High 13′6″
Morgan Scherschel Wins 2009 4A Crown With 11′7″ Vault
Senior Morgan Scherschel, from Gaither High School, flew over 11′ to defeat junior Emily Cook, aka Cookie Monster, from East Ridge High, and senior Nicole Smith, from Sickles High. Both Cook and Smith kept the pressure on Scherschel by clearing 10′6″, but 11′ would prove to be too much for the other girls. Upon winning the title, Morgan then moved the bar to 11′7″ where she soared over the bar on her first attempt, only to have the pole knock down the bar. This attempt was ruled a miss and Morgan would run into the same situation on her third attempt, only to have the official rule in her favor - a decision that was made because she was the final competitor and would not affect the final outcome in any way. Let this be a lesson to young pole vaulters: if you are not turned at the top of your vault, you will have difficulty throwing the pole back. Morgan claimed her second title in as many years and is also the state leader at 12′. One of the best scenes of all of the classification meets over the past two weeks occured after the competition on the award stand. After receiving their medals, there was a choreographed dismount that was definitely picturesque. With a majority of the competitors being former gymnasts and cheerleaders, this wasn’t too hard to believe. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the dismount.
Official Results
- 1st Place - Morgan Scherschel, Senior, Gaither High, 11′7″
- 2nd Place - Emily Cook, Junior, East Ridge High, 10′6″
- 3rd Place - Nicole Smith, Senior, Sickles High, 10′6″
- 4th Place - Erica Weiss, Junior, Boone High, 10′
- 5th Place - Kelsey Karlstrand, Junior, Riverview High, 9′6″
- 5th Place - Heather Williams, Junior, Venice High, 9′6″
- 7th Place - Gracie Clapp, Junior, Bartram Trail High, 9′6″
- 8th Place - Senior Antonia Zecevic, Douglas High, 9′
Paige Shirley Wins 2A Pole Vault Title In Classic Battle
Paige Shirley, a junior from Episcopal School, didn’t seem bothered by the fact that after 11′ she was in third place, behind on misses, and facing a personal best to win the FHSAA 2A Pole Vault State Championship. Caitlin Schuessler, a junior from Pine Crest School, and Brianna Arellano, a freshman from Bishop Moore, both watched as Shirley made 11′6″. After Schuessler and Arellano both missed their first attempt, this meant that each would have to clear 12′ in order to overtake Shirley. Both girls cleared 11′6″, but were unsuccessful at 12′, leaving Shirley as the state champion in one of the most exciting state championship pole vault matchups in a while.
Shirley is coached by Ira Wellborn and Pat Crandall, both well known vault coaches in the Jacksonville area. It was great to see Ira get so excited after Paige cleared 11′6″ on her first attempt, pumping his fists in the air, knowing the significance of the make. Both Wellborn and Crandall coached pole vault sensation Daisy Glasser, who is now competing for the University of Florida.
Even more exciting than the competition itself, is the fact that all three girls will return next year to battle again for the coveted crown. In fact, only Jessica Jetmore, from Bishop Moore, is a senior and will not be back next year. That is very exciting. Hopefully, we will get to see the girls at the Golden South Classic in May at First Academy.
Official Results:
- Paige Shirley, 11th Grade, Episcopal, 11′6″
- Caitlin Schuessler, 11th Grade, Pine Crest, 11′6″
- Brianna Arellano, 9th Grade, Bishop Moore, 11′6″
- Caleigh Boyington, 11th Grade, Citrus, 10′6″
- Alessandra Cassidy, 11th Grade, Archbishop McCarthy, 10′6″
- Jessica Cornelia, 10th Grade, Archbishop McCarthy, 10′
- Brittany Wagoner, 10th Grade, Key West, 10′
- Jessica Jetmore, 12th Grade, Bishop Moore, 9′6″
Parker Harris Wins 1A Pole Vault Title
Parker Harris, a senior from Port St. Joe, vaulted 14′ to win the FHSAA 1A pole vault title. In a rather uneventful final, Harris stood alone after 14 feet as the lone competitior. Harris then tried to improve on him mark by moving the bar to 14′6″, but was unsuccessful in three attempts, almost making it on his third attempt. Senior Michael Edwards, from Benjamin School, and junior Logan Vanhoutteghem, from Coral Springs Christian both kept the pressure on Harris as long as they could both clearing 13′6″, but 14′ would prove too much for the duo. Edwards and Vanhouttenghem finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. 4th, 5th, and 6th places went to vaulters clearing 13′. Those athletes were: Thomas Maguire, from South Florida Heat, Donavan Erbe, from Admiral Farragut, and Zach Wittenberg, from St. John Neuman. Kurt Scanameo, from Maclay school in Tallahassee, and Josh Bruns from Mount Dora Bible School rounded out the medalists, finishing 7th and 8th with a bar of 12′6″.
Kylee Skidmore Wins 1A State Championship
In thrilling fashion, Kylee Skidmore, a sophomore from P.K. Younge, defeated freshman Megan Walker, from Port St. Joe, to win the 2009 1A FHSAA State Championship. This appears to be one of many match-ups between these two as they are both so young, keep in mind that Lindsey Enders, a sophomore from Holy Trinity School, was not in the meet, but had a personal best of 11′6″ this year. With the inclusion of Enders, this young trio should be fantastic to watch for the next couple of years.
After the conclusion of the regular meet, Kylee and Megan were tied at 10′6″, with each competitor having the same number of misses. After one more attempt at 11′, the bar was lowered to 10′9″ as the competition intensified. Kylee barely missed at 10′9″ and Megan stumbled at the end of her approach causing her to stall out, pole in full bend. Megan let go of the pole and the pole went flying through the air, I’m not sure anyone ever found the tip.. The bar was then lowered to 10′6″ where Kylee successfully cleared it. Megan was unsuccessful in her attempt, but she showed the heart of a lion by taking off after such a disastrous attempt at a 10′9″. Rounding out the girls results were:
- 3rd place - Samantha Beckham - 12th Grade - Cedar Key High - 10′6″
- 4th place - Kelly Robinson - 11th Grade - Community School of Naples - 10′
- 5th place - Ali Battista - 10th Grade - Westminster Academy - 9′6″
- 6th place - Ashleigh Lewis - ? - Port St. Joe - 9′6″
- 6th place - Kamila Silva - 11th Grade - South Florida Heat - 9′6″
- 8th place - Christina Irizarry - Dade Christian - 9′6″
3A Regional Pole Vault Results and State Qualifiers
Region 3A-1
- Chelsea Chandler, Navarre, 10′
- haley Watts, Chiles, 9′6″
- Asley Baros-Kabler, Eastside, 9′
- Lyqruisha Wyche, Pine Forest, 9′
- Buddy Austin, Lincoln, 13′6″
- Brandon Bassett, Chiles, 12′6″
- Harrison Stierwalt, Chiles, 12′6″
- Vini Febus, Navarre, 12′6″
Region 3A-2
- Cara Elyea, Lake Region, 10′
- Stephanie Eveland, Lake Region, 9′
- Anna Heinzman, Lecanto, 8′6″
- Jessica Harter, Celebration, 8′6″
- James Ort, Belleview, 13′
- Jason Roberts, Lecanto, 13′
- Kevin Mansukhani, Forest, 12′6″
- javanth Charles, Lecanto, 12′6″
Region 3A-3
- London Enos, Wharton, 11′
- Perri Rothenberg, Freedom, 9′
- Gina Gravino, Charlotte, 9′
- Melissa Adams, Wharton, 8′6″
Region 3A-4
- Mallory Johnson, South Fork, 10′6″
- Brooke Sourbier, Barron Collier, 9′6″
- Sarah Houghtaling, St. Thomas Aquinas, 9′
- Brittany Youney, Merritt Island, 9′
- Mike Vani, Merritt Island, 14′7″
- David Shepherd, St. Thomas Aquinas, 13′6″
- Codi Cooper, Satellite, 13′
- Hunter Moon, St. Thomas Aquinas, 12′6″
Class 3A Region 4 Pole Vault Results
It was great meeting everyone yesterday at the 3A-4 regional track and field championships that was held at Merritt Island High School. Both vaulting competitions were nail biters. I truly enjoyed meeting all the vaulters and parents that attended the meet. It is great to be associated with an event that is so strongly supported by parents.
The girls competition was dominated by Mallory Johnson of South Fork with personal best of 10′6″. Keep this name in mind for years to come, she just picked up the sport and can bring it on the runway. She has been working with one of my good friends, Harry Hackett, down in Boca Raton. Great job Mallory and Harry. Second place went to Brooke Sorbier from Barron Collier, who vaulted 9′6″ on a bum ankle, very gutsy. Brooke is only a fresman and is a former gymnast. Brooke is coached by Mike Calyore, who is a good friend and camp loyalist. Third place went to Sarah Haughtaling at 9′ from St. Thomas Aquinas, one of my former proteges who is being coached by David Shepherd. Fouth place went to Brittany Youney at 9′ from Merritt Island, and Brittany is coached by yours truly.
The boys competition was as anticipated, all bunched up and then there were 4. There were 10 boys left in the competition with the bar at 12′. Mike Vani from Merritt Island overcame a series of migraine headaches to capture the regional crown with a vault of 14′7″. Mike used his short approach, 5 lefts, to obtain a spot in the top 4, then jumped until the migraine eventually overwhelmed him. Second place went to David Shepherd of St. Thomas Aquinas, yes Coach Shepherd’s son, with a vault of 13′6″. This was especially impressive being that David was in a cast for most of the season after having broke his thumb, doing something heroic I imagine. Third place went to the freshman Codi Cooper, who has a tremendous amount of potential as a youngster and is coached by Jessica Stern, a former UF vaulter. The final qualifying spot went to Hunter Moon of St. Thomas Aquinas with a vault of 12′6″. Don’t let the height fool you, Hunter made opening bar plus one at Florida Relays, he’ll be in the mix come next week.
For those athletes that did not qualify, use that feeling to drive you for the next 9 months. Don’t think of it as the end of this year, think of it as the beginning of next year.
2A Regional Pole Vault Results and State Qualifiers
Region 2A-1
- Paige Shirley Espiscopal 10′6″
- Emily Smithwick Episcopal 9′6″
- Meredith Chavers Gulf Breeze 9′
- Julia Rogers Episcopal 9′
- Allen Starke Godby 13′6″
- Aaron Plotz Bishop Kenny 13′
- Garrett Scantling Espiscopal 12′6″
- Chris Dayao Bishop Snyder 12′3″ - Officially should be 12′ feet. Only jumpoffs for first place receive the jumpoff height.
Region 2A-2
- Brianna Arellano Bishop Moore 10′6″
- Jessica Jetmore Bishop Moore 9′6″
- Caleigh Boyington Citrus 9′6″
- Fessica Frometa Crystal River 9′6″
- Kyle Spivey Crystal River 13′
- Ryan L’Heureux Crystal River 13′
- Stephen Bush Tavares 11′6″
- Ben Rashley Citrus 11′6″
Region 2A-3
- Julia Liccini Bishop Verot 9′
- Mari Ostrenko Tampa Catholic 8′6″
- Anna-Kay Taylor Golden Gate 8′
- Alyssa Bundy Titusville Astronaut 8′
- Jordan Romecki Cardinal Mooney 13′6″
- Ryan Gilroy West Shore 12′6″
- Pat Beane Tampa Jesuit 12′6″
- Cole Delano Titusville Astronaut 12′
Region 2A-4
- Caitliin Schuessler Pine Crest 11′10″
- Brittney Wagoner Key West 10′6″
- Alessandra Cassidy Archbishop McCarthy 10′6″
- Jessica Cornelia Archbishop McCarthy 10′
- Anthony Amodio Archbishop McCarthy 14′7″
- Kyle Mailoux Archbishop McCarthy 13′6″
- Travis Stokes Key West 13′
- Lee Milam Archbishop McCarthy 12′6″
1A Regional Pole Vault Results and State Qualifiers
Region 1A-1
- Ashleigh Lewis Port St. Joe 10′
- Megan Walker Port St. Joe
- Lillian VanWinkle Maclay
- Colson Barnes Maclay 8′6″
- Parker Harris 12′
- Kurt Scanameo Maclay 12′
- Kyle Weaver maclay 11′6″
- Ian Towne South Walton 11′6″
Region 1A-2
- Samantha Beckham Cedar Key 10′
- Kylee Skidmore P.K. Younge 9′
- Lauren Koos Mount Dora Bible 9′
- Lauren Fair First Academy 8′
- Josh Bruns Mount Dora Bible 12′
- Corey Smith Holy Trinity 11′6″
- Devon Carter-Freeman Mount Dora Bible 11′
- Kim Minchul Trinity Prep 10′6″
Region 1A-3
- Kelly Robinson Community School of Naples 10′
- Erin Rectanus Community School of Naples 9′6″
- Casey Evans Shorecrest Prep 8′6″
- Manuela Burtscher Seacrest 8′6″
- Donavan Erbe Admiral Farragut 13′6″
- Grant Rideout Northside Christian 13′
- Zach Wittenberg St. John’s Neumann 12′
- Conor Timmins Community School of Naples 11′6″
Region 1A-4
- Christina Irizarry Dade Christian 9′6″
- Ali Battista Mestminster Academy 9′
- Kamila Silva South Florida Heat 9′
- Jamie Fisher Benjamin School 9′
- Michael Edwards Benjamin School 13′
- Thomas Maguire South Florida Heat 12′6″
- Logan Vanhoutteghem Coral Springs Christian 12′
- Anthony Harel-Canada Westminster Academy 11′
4A District Results and Regional Qualifiers
District 4A-1
- Gracie Clapp Bartram Trail 9′6″
- Audrey Gabbert Flagler Palm Coast 9′6″
- Jodie Rosenberg Mandarin 8′
- Jessica Rorer Mandarin 8′
- Kenlee Critcher Flagler Palm Coast 13′6″
- Mikko David Mandarin 13′
- Cory Soard Flagler Palm Coast 12′6″
- Brad Frost Bartram Trail 11′
District 4A-2
- Hillary Albertson Spruce Creek 8′6″
- Alexandra Lutka Lake Brantley 8′
- Morgan Lee Lyman 8′
- Tanya Rivas Deltona 8′
- Grant Woodruff Lake Mary 13′7″
- Kyle Gaines Spruce Creek 12′6″
- Ashton Boston Hagerty 12′
- Andrew Coats Spruce Creek 12′
District 4A-3
- Emily Cook East Ridge 9′6″
- Stephanie Cook East Ridge 8′6″
- Kelsey Arellano East Ridge 8′6″
- Emily Serra Dr. Phillips 7′6″
- Kendall Schafers Olympia 13′
- Jared Watkins Dr. Phillips 10′6″
- Jesse Ramimora Olympia 10′
- Keith Garcia East Ridge 10′
District 4A-4
- Erica Weiss Boone 10′
- Eva Hinkeldey Winter Park 8′
- Anna Hinkeldey Winter Park 7′6″
- Kailee Kovacs Boone 7′6″
- John Kennedy Boone 14′
- Wyatt Metzger Timber Creek 12′
- Max Demianovich Timber Creek 11′6″
- Jean Acosta Gateway 11′
District 4A-5
- Nicole Smith Sickles 9′6″
- Emily Hall Countryside 9′
- Addison MacLean Alonso 8′6″
- April Martin Pinellas Park
- James Carl Sickles 13′6″
- Paul Polgar Countryside 13′
- Anthony Lombardo Countryside 13′
- Taylor Britton Mitchell 12′6″
District 4A-6
- Morgan Scherschel Gaither 11′
- Morgan Williams East Bay 8′6″
- Bryn Huhta Gaither 8′6″
- Nikki Perrini 8′6″
- Brian Long Gaither 12′
- Nathaniel Wilson Riverview 11′6″
- Brandon Dewitt Lakeland 11′
- Chris Griffith Durant 10′6″
District 4A-7
- Kelsey Karlstrand Riverview 10′
- Heather Williams Venice 9′
- Lnde Hope Sarasota 9′
- Nicole Swanson 8′6″
- Daniel Medrano Venice 13′6″
- Alexander Brunette Sarasota 13′
- Roger Bencomo Riverview 12′6″
- Aaron Callahan North Port 11′6″
District 4A-8
- Clynessha Cobb Vero Beach 6′
- Jennifer Hennecky Palm Bay 5′6″
- Elantra Lind Vero Beach 5′6″
- Eric Weeks Palm Bay 11′6″
- Donald Picerno Palm Bay 11′
- George Bryan Vero Beach 11′
- Jordan Burney Vero Beach 9′6″
District 4A-9
- Brittany Spring Jupiter 8′
- Laurie morden Wellington 7′6″
- Jacqueline Modist Wellington 7′
- Jenna Baxter Wellington 6′6″
- Edward Adams Wellington 11′6″
- Chadwick Lutz Wellington 11′6″
- Leo Pena Seminole Ridge 11′6″
- Matt Burroughs John I Leonard 11′
District 4A-10
- Antonia Zecevic Douglas 9′
- Molly Ferch Coral Springs 8′6″
- Catrina Mancini Douglas 7′6″
- Jenna Boersma Coral Springs 7′
- Sean Zuppke Park Vista 14′
- Akeem Barthol coral Springs 12′
- Somon Nader Spanish River 12′
- David McDougal Park Vista 11′6″
District 4A-11
- Julie Ohanian Taravella 7′6″
- Lena Kelbie Western 6′6″
- Drew Marcello Taravella 12′
- Eli Bacher 11′
- Eric Bender South Plantation 11′
- Kyle Kiple Plantation 11′
District 4A-12
- Tasnim Bain Everglades 7′6″
- lauren Goode Cypress Bay 7′
- Gabrielle Jones Everglades 6′6″
- Adriane Sanches Cypress Bay 6′
- Curtis James Cypress Bay 12′6″
- Lance Harstad Cypress Bay 12′
- Jarrod Jones Flanagan 11′6″
- Gabe Betancourt Cypress Bay 11′6″
District 4A-13
- David Martinez Hialeah Miami Lakes 8′
- Cristian Andino Goleman 7′6″
District 4A-14
- Andrew Jones Miami Central 10′
- Gamal Jadue Miami Beach 9′6″
- Jean Rubens Jacob Miami Central 9′
District 4A-15
- Brittany Jones Ferguson 8′6″
- Gabriela Herrera Ferguson 8′
- Sophie Verdeja Lourdes 8′
- Vanessa Cancio Lourdes 7′6″
- Alejandro Fierro Ferguson 12′
- Edgar Guerra Columbus 11′6″
- Eric Evans Columbus 11′6″
- William Ghersi Ferguson 11
District 4A-16
- Sharnice Byrd Miami Southridge 8′6″
- Chantelle Johnson Miami Southridge 8′
- Saeed Lee Miami Southridge 11′
- Kyle O’Grady Coral Reef 10′6″
- Sylvester Byrd Miami Southridge 9′6″
- Heriberto Serrano Miami Southridge 9′
