District 9 track and field championships: Moniteau’s Ashton Grossman repeats as pole vault champion
BROOKVILLE — Moniteau senior Ashton Grossman holds the school record in the boys pole vault at 15 feet, three inches and entered Friday’s District 9 Track and Field Championships as the defending champion in the event.
But he survived a tense moment as he looked to extend his season. Entering the competition at 13-6, he missed on his first two attempts. One more errant vault and his high school career would have met a premature end.
“I had to switch poles after my first attempt, and that’s tough to do in the middle of a meet,” he said. “There’s a transition there and you have to adjust.
“Then I came up short on my second try.”
Grossman’s third vault was true and he went on to defend his title by reaching a height of 14 feet at Brookville High School.
“Today was about finding a way to win despite an off performance,” he said. “Last year, the pole vault wasn’t held until late and I was sitting around all day with the nerves. Today I came in, got a few practice jumps in and the competition started (around 2:30). This was much better. I’ll be working with a new pole at states and I want to finish as a state champion. It’s exciting to think about.”
Joining Grossman at the PIAA meet at Shippensburg University will be Karns City sophomore Alex Wilson, who placed third in the pole vault and met the qualifying standard of 13-6.
He is KC’s record holder with a previous vault of 14-3.
“I used to get real nervous about competing, but it doesn’t bother me anymore,” Wilson said. “My dad takes me all over to get work in, including a pole vault school in Zelienople.
“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere of states, see if my long hours of hard work can get me to 14-6.”
A pair of Karns City sophomore jumpers are also headed east by virtue of second-place efforts.
Mya Jones was runner-up in the girls high jump at 5-2 while Phoebe Brandon was likewise in the long jump at 16-3.
“I have the natural ability to jump, and my technique has really improved,” Jones said. “I’ve gone from 4-8 to 4-11 and now 5-2.”
Jones also placed third in the long jump and teammate Layla Colsey was fourth. Savanna Prescott could have given the Gremlins a fourth medal in the event, but was unable to compete due to injury.
“We’ve all made each other better,” Brandon said. “Last year, I was jumping just 13 (feet). I wanted a personal-best today and I got it.”
KC head coach Rob Pennington credited jumping coach Josh Stimac with helping the girls elevate their performance.
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