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PREP TRACK AND FIELD
Elks take it higher
Three Centerville pole vaulters have already eclipsed the 14-foot barrier, but only two can be eligible to compete in the postseason
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
CENTERVILLE — D-Day is looming for Centerville's pole vaulters. That means a 14-foot jumper's season will be done, just as the high school postseason begins.
Better up your game to 14 feet or higher if you want to crack this soaring lineup.
So, who's the odd man out? Centerville High School's (from left) David Sweeterman, Nick Arnold and Bryan Miller have all cleared 14 feet this season. Only two can compete in the league championships and district meet. And don't forget about Jake Kennard (13-0) and Nathan Jesperson (12-6). "That's the tough part about it," said junior Nick Arnold, one of three Elks to clear 14-0 this track and field season.
"It'll suck for that one person."
Senior Dave Sweeterman and junior Bryan Miller have joined Arnold in this unprecedented aerial assault. Incredibly, all three nailed the magic mark in the same meet: their own recent Somerlot Field Event Classic.
Miller was the first to sail clean, "and we all went crazy," Sweeterman said.
"Then Nick cleared and everybody was ecstatic. I thought, wow, I've got to clear this."
He did, on his second jump.
"I couldn't believe it," Sweeterman said. "We all were pretty much blown away."
As good as that was, one of the three will sit, beginning with this week's Greater Western Ohio Conference meet at Springboro on Wednesday, May 14, and Friday.
Unlike that 3-person Classic format, only two vaulters from each team are allowed to compete in the conference meet.
Same for next week's district, the first postseason leg that also includes the regional and state.
And don't count out junior Jake Kennard (13-0) and senior Nathan Jesperson (12-6).
Second-year vault coach Scott Marquardt is mostly responsible for this leaping lunacy. It'll be his call on who jumps.
"It's mind-blowing to see, just fantastic," the 24-year-old former Cedarville University vaulter said.
"My hat's off to those guys. I'm just lucky to be a part of that."
Not quite, insists head coach Matt Somerlot.
"You watch (Marquardt) interact, he's technically savvy," said Somerlot, himself an outstanding shot put and discus coach.
"He has a real good feel of steps and when to switch poles. And the kids trust him. That makes a big difference."
Sweeterman confers: "(Marquardt) definitely knows what he's talking about," he said. "Run fast, jump high."
That's what Sweeterman did in last weekend's GWOC reserve meet at Centerville, clearing a season-high 14-3.
He also earned immunity this week. Arnold and Miller will jump off in practice for the right to join Sweeterman at Springboro.
"Basically, I've got to go with consistency and hope they don't hate me for picking someone else," Marquardt said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or
mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.
