Deseret News | High school track: Kittell breaks state pole vault record

High school track: Kittell breaks state pole vault record

Mountain View senior shatters 6-year-old mark

By Ryan Merriman
For the Deseret News

Published: Friday, May 9, 2008 12:20 a.m. MDT

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High school track: Track athletes tune up for state at region meets

PROVO — Mountain View senior Bobby Kittell would have been the Region 7 pole vault champion regardless of how high he jumped. Kittell is the only vaulter in the region, and the event did not even count toward team point totals. But despite the lack of competition, Kittell cleared 16-feet-1-inch on his final attempt, breaking the state record set by BYU All-American Bob Low in 2002.

"I remember watching Bob vault in seventh and eighth grade," Kittell said. "I saw him set the record and it's been my goal ever since."

The new state record holder has had plenty of encouragement. Kittell's father bought him a pole at age eleven and a full-sized vault pit for the backyard several years later. Besides being able to practice in his own backyard, Kittell also benefits from the coaching of former BYU pole-vaulter Eric Rasmussen.

In the team competition, Orem ran away with a 39-point victory over defending 4A champion Timpview. Because of a weather delay the day before, the Tigers had to rely on runners in slower heats to post times fast enough to score in timed finals. Zach Blackum and Alex Plaster dominated their heats in the 110-high-hurdles and 400 meters to finish sixth and seventh overall out of slower heats. Even more remarkable, Alec Kusic threw a 25-feet beyond his previous personal best (135 feet, 9 inches) to win the event after starting the day with only the seventh best throw in the field.

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"We were just so deep all the way across," Orem head coach Casey Vanderhof said. "We told our kids if the believed in themselves they could do it. They all stayed and cheered for each other — the distance kids knew what was going on out at the discus — I've been coaching for 11 years and this is the most unified team I've ever seen."

Orem scored in every event, including a one-two finish in the 400 meters by Logan McNeil (49.63) and Mike McKell (49.86). McKell also won the 800 meters (1:58.47).

Mountain View won the girls competition by 22 points over runner-up Orem despite some early mishaps. Sarah Yingling, one of the Bruin's best at any distance above 400 meters, was only able to run two events, and region favorite Kim Lyons scratched in the long jump.

"I'm kind of speechless right now," Mountain View coach Mike Hunter said. "If you would have told me we'd only have Sarah for a couple events today I would've thought we were dead."

Hunter asked Lyons' sister Angie to try to score a few points in the long jump, which she went on to win at 16 feet, 4 inches. Senior Katie Brown took second in the 400, 800, and ran on two relay teams. Hunter also enlisted the help of Auna Jannis and Alyssa Olson in the javelin. The pair hadn't thrown in a meet all season because of commitments in softball and soccer, but scored 15 points for the Bruins with a one-four finish.

"It really is like putting together a puzzle," Hunter said. "I'm really proud of them, especially our seniors that get to end high school with a region championship."

Both teams have a legitimate shot next week at state. Orem will battle it out with Timpview and Box Elder in the boys and the girls title is essentially up for grabs. Mountain View, Orem, Springville and several other teams will be competitive.

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