SKY'S THE LIMIT

JACKSON, Mo. -- Jackson track coach Bob Sink says pole vaulter Stuart McIntosh "can be the guy."

The guy who can, Sink says, who can win a state pole-vault title this year.

The 6 foot-2, 180 pound McIntosh has the ideal body type, the confidence and the work ethic to accomplish that goal, and he's only a junior.

"The pole vault is such a quirky event," Sink said. "You need a lot of things to go your way, but if things hit right for us, he definitely has a tremendous opportunity.

"The bottom line is you've got to do it on that day."

McIntosh will take his first shot at a Cape Relays title today when the annual event begins at 9:45 a.m. at the Abe Stuber Complex. Boys and girls teams from Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee are entered.

McIntosh finished 13th in the state last year. Coming off a sectional qualifying win at 14 feet, 6 inches -- a personal best -- it appeared the sky was the limit.

But at the state meet he aggravated a hip flexor injury and finished with a vault of only 12 feet -- 14-6 won -- at the state meet. He still finished ahead of all other sophomores there.

"Who knows how high he can go," Sink said. "This is the first time he's been healthy in two years. I'd be really disappointed if he doesn't jump 15 feet or better this year."

So what makes Stuart jump?

"Every jump is like an adrenalin rush," he said. "You never know what's going to happen exactly, because there are so many variables that can go right or go wrong."

McIntosh, who began vaulting in seventh grade, said he is chasing the Jackson school record of 15-1 1/2 held by Lane Lohr, who went on to earn All-American honors at the University of Illinois and later vaulted on the international circuit.

"I'm striving for 15-6 by the end of the year," McIntosh said. "I'd really like to beat that record."

To that end, McIntosh lifts weights vigorously and says Sink's implementation of sprint work for the vaulters has helped on his approach to the pit.

McIntosh and teammates Jonathan Jones and Cody Thompson will comprise the Jackson contingent in today's pole vault competition. The Cape Relays uses an unique team-scoring format that totals the three best heights to determine the winner.

"I think we've got three pretty good vaulters," Sink said. "All three can clear 11 feet and one can go a little higher."

llewis@semissourian.com

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