McGarrah still in pursuit
JACKSON TWP — Simply put, Tristan McGarrah wants it all this season.
To get it, the Butler senior will have to soar to new heights — literally.
McGarrah is a longtime pole vaulter for the Golden Tornado. He has hit 15 feet and has been chasing Jack Codispot’s school record of 15-6. In his first outdoor meet of the season Saturday, McGarrah won the pole vault event by hitting 14 feet. He beat out Cullen Birkes of Slippery Rock and Butler teammate Ryan Bernardi, who hit 13 and 12 feet, respectively.
For McGarrah, he’s counting on that meet serving as the beginning to a memorable final season.
“I’m not going to college. I’m gonna graduate and go right to work,” McGarrah said. "So this is it for me. Jack’s record, the WPIAL and state championships, I want all of those things.“
Jerry McGarrah, Butler’s pole vault coach, is Tristan’s father. He is a former Butler High School pole vaulter.
“That’s how I got into the sport in the first place,” Tristan said. “I’ve always been fascinated by it. For the past couple of years, it’s the only event I do.”
McGarrah placed sixth at the Pennsylvania High School Indoor Championships with a vault of 14 feet. It was on his first and only attempt of that competition.
When McGarrah stepped off the mat after completing that vault, he landed awkwardly and sprained both of his ankles.
“We were hoping Tristan might break Jack’s record at the indoor state meet, but that ankle injury put a quick end to that,” Jerry McGarrah said. “The injury set him back a bit, but he’s close to being back to 100 percent.
“He’s had to use a shorter pole and a five-step approach since, bit he should be back to the bigger pole and a seven-step approach in two weeks or so.”
Tristan admitted the shorter approach makes a big difference once he plants the pole on the ground.
“I don’t get the same momentum and speed, and, of course, the shorter pole limits what I can do,” he said. “But it’s all about progression at this point. I’m happy where I’m at right now.
“I can still feel the ankle while I’m running on my approach, but there’s no pain there anymore. It’s healed up and I’m prepared to move forward.”
His father has little doubt Tristan will succeed in his goals.
“Honestly, I think it’s a matter of time,” he said of his son snapping Codispot’s record. “I mean, he’s been right there. The technique has been where it needs to be. Once everything clicks, it will happen. Tristan’s been patient and he’s very confident.”
Tristan practices vaulting in the pit two or three days a week. He does weights and other versions of training on other days.
He’s come to recognize the wear-and-tear that goes with this unique event.
“You can’t jump every day,” Tristan said. “You have to mix training days in there. I want to peak later in the season.”
When his own pole vaulting career is over, he hopes to have the opportunity to teach others.
“I’d be very open to coaching young pole vaulters,” Tristan said. “I feel like I would have something to offer there. But I’m definitely not done yet.
“I have a lot more work to do.”
