CUMBY, TEXAS — Lady Trojan pole vaulter Taylor Gifford signed a national letter of intent to compete in track at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Gifford, a senior and regional qualifier in the pole vault, is also a honor student and has been accepted to the Regents’ Scholar Program. She will also have a track scholarship to the Commerce school located a short distance from her home.     Gifford is a versatile athlete and is a standout not only in track, but volleyball and powerlifting. She is a member of the state champion powerlifting team and will be competing this year at the state level.      In track she also in a hurdler, relay team member and has competed in the triple jump.     “She will help us some on the relays, but she is concentrating on the pole vault,” said Gary Parrish, Cumby athletic director and track coach. “She has a chance to go to state. She is a very talented young woman. She’s determined and nothing can stop her.”     Parrish said, “She’s an amazing student and very goal-oriented. She wants to go to college and become an engineer. I have no doubt she will be a success and made a significant contribution to society.”     Parrish said he is surprised at how the area champion learned pole vaulting so quickly. Just four years after she first picked up a pole, she is signing a college scholarship.     “Pole vaulting has been my favorite sport since I start doing it four years ago,” Gifford said. “It seemed to come easy to me.”     Gifford then recounted of competing at area with a bloody nose after the pole had slipped in her hand and struck her face during the approach.     “I won area with tissue stuck in my nose to stop the bleeding. I had a black eye the next day. But I finished,” Gifford said.     Parrish interjected that Gifford was just one scratch away from competing in Austin.     “She had a scratch at 9-6, but she can do 10-6 in practice. Her goal this year is to not only get to state, but win it,” Parrish said.     “I just seem to be natural in the pole vault, I am not scared at all,” Gifford said. “I think some of it is my height. I am 5-7 and that helps. I like the sport, it’s such a good feeling to clear the bar – knowing you have done it.”     Gifford said, “It would be fantastic to get to state and win it.”     “I don’t know who can stop her. She puts in the work and is getting better all the time,” Parrish said.     “I practice 30 minutes during one period and about an hour in track every day,” Gifford said. “I just like doing it.”     Gifford said she knows the competition in track and the classroom will get tougher in college, but she’s ready for the challenge.     “I like math and architecture, so I want to be an engineer,” Gifford said. “I am interested in the construction  of buildings. I know it will be a lot of work. But it’s something I really want to do.”      Gifford said, “In track, competing in college will be another big step. But I will have the coaches to help me.’     Parrish said, “Here, I have been her coach. I am not a pole vault expert, I know the basics. She is past my level now. In college, when she gets with a good pole vaulting coach she will really get better.”     Parrish said, “She will get her academics and work on pole vaulting, I expect big things from her. Like I said, she’s amazing.”