Odessa, Texas –The last time Wall’s boys track and field team competed at Ratliff Stadium, it left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. This time the Hawks headed home with plenty of hardware, and they also felt encouraged about the next time they’ll be competing in Odessa. Wall’s best chances for reaching the state meet in Austin, Hagen Stoute, won in particularly dominating fashion. Stoute entered the pole vault at 13 feet, 6 inches, and teammate Ethan Hodges placed second at 13-0. Stoute, essentially competing by himself, cleared 13-6 on his first attempt and had just as easy of a time clearing 14-6, matching his personal record from a week ago at Ballinger. He made three attempts at 15-0 but couldn’t quite clear the bar.“I was proud to see him jump how he did without anybody really pushing him,” Wall vaulting coach Rob Londerholm said. “I think both his vaults, 13-6 and 14-6, if he’d have been able to replicate those at 15, he’d have been able to go 15 or 15-6 today. I was real pleased to see that.”Stoute, a junior, was disappointed not to set a new record for himself. His mark of 14-6 would have been good enough to qualify for last year’s state meet, but he said he’ll likely need to clear the 15-foot mark to make it this year.Either way, he’ll have to try to qualify at the same venue on April 25-26. “That’s one reason we came here, because this is where we’ll jump at regionals,” Stoute said. “We were wanting to get a feel for the track and fans. It’s good for everybody to come out here before we jump at regionals.” more
