COLUMBUS – It is something that should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the Midpark boys pole vault team that the 2013 State Champion is Meteors senior Aaron Owens.
Owens cleared a height of 16 feet, even during the OHSAA State Meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus this weekend, beating out senior Charlie Moushey of Westerville by three inches.
Midpark Head Coach Rick Mack knew from the beginning of the season, and even during just seasons prior to 2013, that he had one of the most elite classes of pole-vaulters in the state.
It was only a matter of time before that fact was solidified in the books for good. It was new secret that Midpark’s pole vault team was strong and all eyes were especially fixed on Owens this year.
“Being the runner-up last season in both the Indoor and Outdoor Meets kind of set the stage and set the expectations for this year,” Mack said, referring to Owens. “There was a lot of pressure for him to become the State Champion and he rose to the occasion.”
Mack attributes Owens’ success to the amount of hard work and dedication Owens has devoted to becoming a master of his craft over the years.
It is somewhat ironic that the history of the Meteors’ track and field program ended with a first. Owens is the first male track and field athlete to be crowned State Champion in Midpark’s history.
With the impending merger of Berea and Midpark, he will also go down as the last.
Midpark’s success in the boys pole vault at States did not begin and end with Owens. Meteors senior Brandson Repasy claimed ownership of the fifth spot with a vault of 14 feet, 6 inches.
It goes with saying that this is an impressive feat of athleticism. It is even more amazing when one considers that just a few days earlier, he was struck by a car while riding his bike in a crosswalk.
Mack said Repasy was dealing with some soreness in his back when he competed at the State Meet but refused to let it sideline him for the event.
Together, Owens and Repasy combined to score 14 of the Meteors’ 16 points during the State Meet, good for 14th out of the 62 teams that competed.
Owens is slated to compete in the 2013 New Balance Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. June 14-16.
Repasy will compete compete in the 2013 Midwest Meet of Champions in Fort Wayne, Ind. June 15.
Next fall, Owens will be vaulting for Clemson University while Repasy is running for Case Western Reserve University.
From: http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-2194526878795425347/aaron-owens-becomes-midpark-boys-first-last-state-champion/
