Another strong group carries high hopes

Judging by last year's results and early marks from this season, it could be a big year for pole vaulters from Southeast Missouri at the state meet.

Notre Dame senior Bryce Willen and Jackson senior Amy West are each coming off all-state seasons, while Central has a pair of vaulters who have already put up some all-state caliber vaults.

At the Jackson Invitational on April 9, Willen won with a jump of 14 feet, 3 inches, a jump which would have given him the state title in Class 3 last year. Willen finished third a year ago with a vault of 13-6, six inches short of the winning mark.

"I've been [to state] every year," Willen said. "Last year I got third and the top two were seniors, so I'm the top returning vaulter. So there's a little pressure that way."

Just getting on the track is quite an accomplishment for Willen, who recovered quickly from a torn ACL he suffered during the soccer season. Willen helped lead the Bulldogs' basketball team to a state final four berth.

"I wasn't sure how it would all come back, but I came back better than I thought I would," Willen said.

As for his early results, Willen believes he's headed in the right direction.

"I feel like I'm ahead of where I was last year. I'm a few jumps away from making big improvements," he said.

Another area vaulter with high expectations for this year is West. She finished sixth last year at the Class 4 state meet with a jump of 10 -0. The winning jump last year was 10-9.

"I would like to go undefeated, win state and jump 11-6," West said of her goals for this season.

At a dual with Central on Thursday, West hit a jump of 10-0. West still has more than three weeks to improve on that jump before the district meet starts.

"For it being so early, I think I'm doing well," she said.

Central junior Lance Altenthal hit a vault of 13-6 at the Jackson Invitational, while sophomore teammate Matt Willingham vaulted 13 feet. Altenthal's jump matched the third-place jump at the state meet last year, while Willingham's jump matched the seventh-place jump.

Altenthal said making it to Jefferson City for the state meet is his goal.

"Hopefully, state is what I'm going for," he said.