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Benjamin Vaults to the Nebraska Championship Meet

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On Saturday, May 14th, at the Nebraska Championship Meet, 8th grader, Nolan Benjamin sprinted down the pole-vault runway, counted his left steps, 7, 8, 9, and gradually lowered his pole while accelerating his speed as he neared his destination: the plant box. Benjamin’s final steps were fast and explosive as he planted the pole, vaulted off the ground and, like Icarus, for a few fleeting moments, flew, flew away and beyond. 

Nolan took up pole vaulting at MPS in the 6^th grade, and pursued it with a passion for the ensuing three years. He won 1st place in 5 of this year's 6 meets, and medaled 2nd place in one. His personal best is 9-09. When asked why he developed an interest in the pole vault event, Benjamin stated "As soon as I saw it, I thought it looked cool and wanted to try it." His passion and work ethic paid off because he was one of only 24 pole vaulters state-wide invited to the Nebraska Championship Meet held in Gothenburg annually. Though he did not medal at the meet, it was a thrilling experience for him. "It was like competing at a large high school meet, but the amazing thing was, all classes, A-D were there, so in a way, it was like a mini state track meet,'" said Bejamin. Keep flying, Nolan, and keep clearing the bar!!

The Nebraska Championship Meet is an all-class 7th and 8th grade combined track meet that invites the top 24 individuals and top 16 relay teams in the state to compete in Gothenburg each year on the Saturday before the High School State Track Meet. The Nebraska Championship Meet provides an opportunity for junior high kids across the state to compete at a high level and experience a championship meet atmosphere. It promotes track and field in the youth of the state of Nebraska in the spirit of developing future USATF athletes.