CHERRY TWP — Kendall Grossman was disappointed with the way her junior season ended.

The campaign started out promising enough for Grossman in the pole vault, but a series of unfortunate events derailed her plans.

It started with a snapped pole and scary fall during a meet early in the spring and culminated with a disappointing sixth-place finish in the event at the PIAA Track and Field Championships.

Grossman had finished second in the state in the pole vault as a freshman and sophomore.

Grossman was determined to bounce back. She worked hard this offseason and turned in a solid indoor campaign this winter.

She was poised to close her career on a high note.

Then the coronavirus pandemic hit and school and sports were canceled.

Grossman was left with no way to redeem herself.

“That definitely hurt,” Grossman said. “It was really tough. I felt bad at the end of last season and this was my senior year and my last hurrah. But I'm lucky. My family is healthy and that's the most important thing.”

But it's not over for Grossman. She will still have a chance to compete in the pole vault for four more years.

She committed to Slippery Rock University shortly before the coronavirus threw her senior year into turmoil.

At first, Grossman wasn't sure if she was going to compete in the pole vault in college.

Grossman intends on majoring in petroleum engineering and was looking at schools out of state, such as Texas Tech.

Then she discovered SRU offered the major — and a chance to continue her pole vaulting career.

She leapt at it.

“I really did love Texas Tech,” Grossman said. “It was big and a beautiful school.”

Grossman, though, still had the itch.

During the indoor season, she focused on her technique in the pole vault; she was never quite satisfied.

The prospect of never sprinting down a runway again didn't sit well with her, either.

“I've been pole vaulting for so long now,” Grossman said. “My dad also vaulted in high school and when high school was over, he said, 'That's it, I'm done.' He didn't want to vault anymore.

“I did,” she added. “After that rocky season last year and even during indoor this winter, every time I vaulted I kept telling myself, 'I need one more meet.' I didn't want to give it up.”

Now Grossman won't have to.

She said she has had a love-hate relationship with the event since early last season.

But she still has that drive.

She's chasing a feeling — an indescribable excitement she gets when she does everything perfectly and clears a height.

“I'm happy how my high school career ended, I guess,” Grossman said. “My heights didn't improve, but my technique improved. Now I have four more years to keep improving.”

Grossman does lament not getting a chance to compete with her teammates again this spring.

Sometimes what's happening around her amid the COVID-19 pandemic seems surreal.

“It feels like a movie,” she said.

To stay positive — and in shape — Grossman goes on long runs.

“It's good mentally,” Grossman said. “It keeps me positive.”

Grossman is looking forward to vaulting again at SRU — whenever that is.

“It's very exciting,” Grossman said. “They have a good program and everyone says it seems like a family. With the quick, abrupt end to high school, I can't wait to get back at it.”