Hays High sophomore Meagan Gray had another impressive summer on the national junior pole vaulting scene, winning two youth national track and field competitions at the intermediate level.
Gray made her fourth career appearance at the American Athletic Union (AAU) Youth National Championships held this summer in Humble.
The 5-foot-tall Gray was one of more than 30 of the best vaulters from around the nation to compete in the event, and she won with a 12-foot vault to defend the title that she won last year.
“She may be the smallest person out there,” Sandra Gray said about her daughter, “but she has the biggest heart and has so much fun vaulting.”
She also successfully defended her United States Track and Field (USTAF) Youth National Championships title, held in Baltimore this summer, with a 12-4 vault.
Not only has Gray won four national titles in the past two years, but she has won titles in school events as well. She won two middle school district titles and captured the district title last year for Hays High School as a freshman.
Gray had huge expectations heading into the regional tournament after district, with a berth in the UIL State Meet in Austin on the line.
Fighting through tricky crosswinds at Alamo Stadium, she finished third, one place away from a trip to Austin.
“The pole was shaking so hard that I couldn’t plant,” Gray said.
That has certainly given Gray motivation heading into her second track season at Hays.
“I want to make it to state next year,” she said, “and jump 13-3′ or 13-6.”
If Gray accomplishes her goal she could become Hays’ third state pole-vaulting champion. Britni Lawrence won state in 2003 and 2004, and Jessica Doyle won the UIL title in 2007 and 2008 for the Lady Rebs.
by: Sarah Farrell
from: http://haysfreepress.com/2012/09/26/lady-rebel-pole-vaulter-prevails-at-nationals/#ixzz27f14tOLS
*** The articles that we post on this website are searched from the Internet and don’t reflect our views. VAULTER Magazine LLC. is bringing the pole vault news to the reader in one central location. ***
