By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.– After coming in second last year in the Pole Vault, down to her final crack at a District Championship, Santiam’s Ellie Lindemann finally got over the hump and won the Pole Vaulting District Championship.  Clearing seven-feet-ten-inches to do so to help the senior clinch the Title and almost came close in clearing eight-feet-one-inch, which would’ve been a PR for the senior.

All this while using a different pole as her usual pole didn’t check out going into the meet Saturday.

There’s some history with the pole that Lindemann did ultimately used, using the same pole as a freshman and now here she was winning districts with it a few years later was crazy points the senior.

“That’s crazy.  It was so doubtful this morning that I didn’t weigh-in with my other pole because I was eight ounces over, but senior year…that definitely showed me that the pole can work,” Lindemann said.  “I started my freshman year with that pole and to win districts with that pole is crazy.  

“Last year I took second to (Regis’) Lauren Crowell.  To win it my senior year, I’m pretty happy.  I got a long week of practice coming up and I’m going to try to lose a couple more pounds so I can use my original pole that’s gotten me the highest this year.  But if I don’t end up doing that I’ll take that one and do what I can do with it.  Starting height at State is seven-ten so I know I can get that.”

Pole Vaulting teammate Parker Hanna didn’t end up having the best of days at the District Meet, but still ended up finishing second behind Regis’ Tim Crowell with a jump of 11-feet-4-inches to qualify for State.

“My timing was off, I couldn’t really turn very well so I couldn’t match my PR of 12-feet, so I only got 11-4.  But I still went out there, tried my best and got second,” starts Hanna.  “I’ll keep practicing Pole Vaulting, keep doing drills and trying different drills.  I really got to work on inverting more and get upside down and turning.  I’ll just continue to practice.”

Averie Peterson continues her amazing start to her High School career as she brought home District Titles in the 400-meter, 800-meter and the Triple Jump events over the course of Friday and Saturday at Blanchet Catholic.  Interestingly enough, Peterson came within four-inches of winning a fourth in Long Jump, finishing second in the event and making it four events she’ll compete in at the State Meet next weekend at Hayward Field.  

Not bad for a sophomore who is picking up the jumping events this season.on top of the mid-distances that she already has a grasp for and went to State for last year entering this next visit to the University of Oregon complex in Eugene.

“It was good to PR and take first in Triple because its my first year doing it and I’m really looking forward to State and seeing other girls’ techniques and stuff.  I don’t really have technique down as much as other girls  do in jumping and so I’m really looking forward to learning from them,” points Peterson.  “I still have two years left and I think this year at State will be a big learning experience for me.”

Gage Twede qualified for State in the 400-meters, Long and Triple Jump as well for the Wolverines. Lyric Hernandez qualified in the Shot Put.  Emma Longfellow qualified in the Discus as did Marcos Moreno in the event.  Moreno also qualified for State in the Pole Vault

Photos By Jeremy McDonald