Olympics The south Placer County area looks to be living up to its reputation as a hot bed for pole vault competition after two area athletes did very well at the recent AAU Jr. Olympic Nationals, in Baltimore, Md.
A few years back, former Granite Bay High standout Scott Roth captured a pair of CIF state pole vault titles before going on to win NCAA titles at Washington, which in turn led him to become an elite world class competitor. Recently, Scott Roth took third in the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Now, two products of his father, Curt Roth’s, pole vault training program – Travis Kartz and Lance Huber – are showing signs they may be stars of the future.
Competing in the boys 13-14 age group, Kartz cleared a personal best 12-6 to win the gold medal; while Huber cleared three personal bests on his way to clearing 12 feet to win the silver.
Kartz, who will be a freshman at Granite Bay High, eclipsed his previous 12-3 best on his way to garnering first place. He cited hard work and far travels as they all paid off under some tremendous pressure in a big stage venue, which hosted over 8,000 USATF athletes and approx. 50,000 spectators.
“It was totally cool and I’m grateful to my parents and coach” said Kartz.
Huber, an athletic young up-and-coming athlete, who will be entering the eighth grade at Loomis Elementary School, started back in the 14th position before hurdling his three personal bests and earning the silver medal.
Happy with the outcome, Huber noted: “I was in it to win it, but to be sharing the podium next to Travis was so awesome.”
Last years girls bronze medal winner Melissa Maneatis, a sophomore from Del Oro
also qualified and made the trip and vaulted 10 feet, but did not place.
Pole vault coach Curt Roth was proud of all his vaulters.
“Well, it was a long haul and a lot of preparation, but you cannot be happier with the boy’s medals and I was proud of my girls accomplishments, too,” Curt Roth said.
From: http://theloomisnews.com/detail/214850.html
