WICHITA – When the competition in the boys’ pole vault was reduced to Prairie View seniors Jayce Phelps and Zach Craig, the battle to determine the winner of the Class 4A state title came down to two lifelong friends. There was plenty of encouragement offered along the away. When one of them sprinted down the runway to attempt to clear 15 feet, the other, as well as several vaulters who had already been eliminated, put their hands together and encouraged the crowd at Cessna Stadium to cheer them on. When Craig missed his third attempt, Phelps knew all he had to do to win the title for the second year in a row was make his final attempt at 15-0. Otherwise, Craig would win the title on the tie-breaker. Phelps leaned back, sprinted down the runway, vaulted into the air and over the bar. He made a couple of fist pumps to show his joy for winning the state title. He then walked over to Craig for a quick handshake and a laugh. While Phelps missed all three attempts at 15-6, which would have tied his school record, he was happy to finish his career on top of the podium. “It was a blast,” he said. “It was definitely one of the proudest moments in my life.” Phelps entered the competition when the bar was set at 14-0 and came close to not making the height. With one attempt remaining, he made a slight adjustment with his approach and finally made it over the bar to remain in the competition. “I was just inconsistent with my run and wasn’t prepared on my run as I should have been,” he said. “I moved back and I shouldn’t have. Finally, I moved back to my spot.” Craig is a model of improvement. It was only two years ago that Craig took up the pole vault, and after clearing 10 feet during his sophomore season, he has since seen plenty of improvement. Having worked with Phelps during practice, Craig placed ninth at last year’s state meet before clearing 15 feet earlier this season and placing second at the state meet Friday. The state meet wasn’t the final time that Phelps and Craig will pole vault. They will continue their careers at Pittsburg State University starting this fall. “I didn’t know how I did it,” Craig said. “But I am glad that I did it with Jayce. It wouldn’t happen like this if we hadn’t pushed each other so much. The competition between us is outstanding.” more
