RA Long's Josephine Sully wins state title in pole vault

TACOMA - R.A. Long sophomore Josephine Sully took home the 2A state championship in the pole vault event during the 2A Girls Track & Field State Championships on Saturday at Mount Tahoma High School.

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She hit three separate personal records during the meet, clearing 10 feet, 9 inches, 11 feet, and her final mark of 11 feet, 3 inches. Sully cleared 10 feet, 6 inches just two times this season prior to Saturday.

"I just kept praying that I was gonna make it," she said. "I kept a positive mindset, didn't get down when I missed, and it paid off."

R.A. Long track and field: Josephine Sully

R.A. Long's Josephine Sully performs a pole vault during the 2A Track & Field State Championships on Saturday, May 30, at Mount Tahoma High School. Sully won the state title in the 2A pole vault event.

Even though North Mason's Samantha Neil also cleared 11 feet, 3 inches, Sully won the title due to clearing the mark on her first attempt, unlike Neil. Sully's teammate Olivia Thomas cleared 10 feet, 6 inches and placed third. Sully said she knew it was going to come down to them.

"I knew that we were gonna be battling because I've been behind them the whole season, but I didn't know that I'd come out as the winner," she said. "I definitely thought I'd take third."

She didn't take third on Saturday. Even though Thomas won the league and district titles, Sully was able to surpass her at state.

"She's just been working really hard," Thomas said. "It's really cool to watch her improve. She's really amazing. I really look up to her. It's been really good to work with and learn from her."

R.A. Long pole vault coach Billy Baker said he noticed that Sully has been stepping it up recently.

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"Really about the last week and a half, she's just really worked hard in practice," he said. "Something lit a fire under her, and she just wanted it."

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