Houston — Meagan Gray, an incoming sophomore at Hays High School, recently took first place at the USTAF and AAU championships in the pole vault.
Making her fourth appearance at the AAU Youth National Championships, held in Humble, Gray recorded a vault of 12-7 to win the event, defending the title she claimed last summer. She also defended her previous title at the USTAF Youth National Championships held in Baltimore, Maryland.
Gray, who turned 15 in August, was the second-ranked freshman vaulter at Hays last year, winning the district title. She trains with the Lonestar Pole Vault Club in New Braunfels.
“ Looking down at the track, Meagan was easily noticeable due to her being the smallest competitor in the field,” Lonestar Pole Vault coach Jessica Blair said. “Height is an advantage in the pole vault; it gets you that much closer to the bar. The shorter you are, the higher you have to go. She does not let this stop her. She attacks the pole vault with a no fear determination that I have yet to see in any other athlete.”
Gray also competes on the varsity golf team at Hays, where she lettered as a freshman. more
Daily Archives: August 20, 2012
Walker’s Coach Sevin takes over U. of New Orleans
On July 11, 2012, new UNO athletic director Derek Morel announced that he had made his first hire. Ty Sevin, a native of Cut Off, Louisiana, is the head coach for the university’s newly reinstated track and field program. Sevin will oversee six teams: the men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams. The UNO track and field program had been cut in 2005 due to an insufficient budget resulting from a decrease in enrollment following Hurricane Katrina. more
Cuban Vaulter clears 4.60 in German Meet
BECKUM (GER, Aug 19): Cuban olympic silver winner Yarisley Silva cleared 460 to win the special women pole vault meet here. Second Lisa Ryzikh 444 over Alana Boyd 437 more
Germany Wins: Walker Soars
BERLIN (GER, Aug 19): In the second edition of special meet “Berlin flies” home team of Germany won with 35 points over USA 29.5, Russia 24 and France 20.5. The final decision happened in pole vault when olympic medalist Bjorn Otto cleared 570 in third attempt. Brad Walker cleared even higher 578 but that was not enough for US Team to win as every round counted. Best result in women long jump 665 by Olympic winner Brittney Reese. Aleksandr Menkov leaped to 806 (+1.5) in men long jump more
