BY NICK ALBANO, Editor
In 1972, Paul Johnson qualified for the Illinois State High School track meet in pole vault and earned sixth place at state. For the next 30 years, spanning eight U.S. presidents, Kaneland has qualified at least one pole vaulter to the state meet, a record that is unmatched in the State of Illinois.
“As of last year, it’s been 30 years in a row a vaulter has qualified for the state meet. As far as program success, the Kaneland boys pole vault program has been rated the third most successful pole vault program in state history and the top program in the ‘modern’ era of pole vaulting (1970- present),” pole vault coach Andrew Drendel said.
Since 1972, the pole vault team has had 3 state champions and 27 All – State vaulters, the most recent being Logan Markuson in 2010.
This year’s varsity pole vault squad consists of seniors Kory Harner, Alex Markuson, Alex Gil and Brayden Miller and Juniors J.R. Vest, Dylan Kuipers and Danny Evers.
“We have the potential to have five guys jumping at state qualifying height or higher by the end of May and my personal goal with this year’s squad is bigger than qualifying,” Drendel said. To qualify for the state meet, the vaulter must clear 13’ 3” at sectionals.
Last year, Kory Harner made state qualifying height for the second straight year. It has been 6 years since a Knight pole vaulter was on the podium and that was Sam Kranz who vaulted 16 for fourth place.
“Our group goal is to make it to state and to place, because we haven’t had someone place at state in about six years,” junior Dylan Kuipers said. In his first meet of the season, Kuipers vaulted 12’6” at Sycamore. “I think that a lot of guys on this team have a really good shot at getting 13’3” and qualifying for state this year,” said senior Alex Gil. Gil was hurt last year with a foot injury but is currently ranked 46th on the top 50 – list with a vault of 12’9” in 2011. This year’s pole vault team understands Kaneland’s vaulting history and will look to add to that legacy this spring.
“Nothing beats vaulting in finals on Saturday morning at Eastern Illinois,” said Coach Drendel.