CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee — Justin Lankes made a run at the state pole vault record Wednesday before settling for a school record, as the Ravenwood junior cleared 15 feet, 7 inches during the Section 3-AAA meet at Kenwood. Lankes made three attempts at 16-2 — an inch better than the record set earlier this season by Harrison Williams of Memphis University School — but was unable to clear the height. “His previous (personal record) was 14-6,” Ravenwood coach Peter Mueller said. “I wouldn’t have bet against him getting (16-2). He’s been hitting 14-6 all year. He went 13-6 as a sophomore, so he’s really raised the bar this year.” At 15-7, Lankes was 1¼ inch better than former Ravenwood standout Michael Ayers, a state pole vault champion and two-time state decathlon champion. Lankes opened at 13 feet Wednesday — a height only two other competitors cleared in the event — then opted to continue at 14 before moving up. “I’d been coming in at 13 all year,” he said. “I wanted to do the same thing and keep my routine the same. “I had been expecting to go 15 for a week or two, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to go 15-7. Everything just worked out. I think I could have gotten 16-2, but I’m overjoyed with 15-7.” With teammate Zach Gilroy placing second at 14-6, Ravenwood scored 25 points in the field events. more and video
