3A track and field: Jonathan Moloney of Mountain View keeps learning, winning at pole vault
May 13-Jonathan Moloney said he decided to give pole vaulting a try three years ago because he thought it was his easiest entry point into track and field.
"I thought 'oh, there's no running with this event," Moloney said. "It's all upper-body strength. But then I was totally wrong."
Turns out, running is a big part of pole vaulting. A vaulter needs speed to go with strength, as well as agility and technique.
The challenge of putting all of those components together is now the part the drives the Mountain View senior to reach for new heights - both figuratively and literally.
"There's a great community (in pole vaulting)," Moloney said. "And there's a lot of dedication and hard work involved."
Moloney had most of the components working on Wednesday as he captured the 3A District 4 boys title, clearing 13 feet, 6 inches.
Unlike past seasons, 3A athletes at Wednesday's 4A/3A District 4 track and field meet were competing for spots directly into the state meet in two weeks.
The top two finishers in each event from Wednesday and Thursday's meet will move on to state.
Moloney is looking forward to heading back to state. His personal best of 14 feet puts him in the top in the state at 3A.
"I'm looking forward to getting back with the gang," he said. "Pretty much everyone who competed there last year will be back."
Other 3A district champions from Wednesday's meet on the boys side included Jonas Ferguson of Heritage (100 meters, 11.01 seconds), Dominic McNeal of Mountain View (400, 48.89), Tavin Timperley of Prairie (1,600, 4:31.23), Kyle McReary of Kelso (javelin, 164-5) and Ezekiel Willis of Mountain View (triple jump, 42-11).
In the girls meet, Heritage got wins from Makayla Lawrence (100, 12.05) and Carmen Herrera (400, 1:00.68) as well as winning the 400 and 800 relays.
Other winners included Kelso's Jordyn Robarge (shot put, 39-11.5) and Ellie Treadway (javelin, 124-10) and Mountain View's Ellie Johnson (high jump, 5-0) and Sophia Strong (triple jump, 35-7).
The meet concludes on Thursday at McKenzie Stadium.
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