Justice shooting for stars in state vault

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Bryan Justice did not have his best day of pole vaulting during the Division I regional meet May 29. It, however, turned into a war of attrition, and that was a battle the Licking Heights junior could win. He was one of four vaulters to clear 14 feet, and it qualified him to the state meet at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. “We were counting misses, and everyone was putting their fingers up,” Justice said. “We all looked at each other and said: ‘I think we made it.’ After that, we were just in it for fun.” Justice competes at noon Saturday. In just two years of competing in Division I, the Hornets have sent an athlete to the state meet, ending a bit of a dry spell for the program. Justice cleared 14-0 and triumphantly raised his arms. It is easy to forget it is just the third time Justice has cleared 14-0 because of the way he twice shattered his previous bests in clearing 14-7 during the Mid-State League-Cardinal Division meet and 15-0 in the district meet.

“I think I started running faster, and it caused me to hit the bar on the way up,” Justice said. “I needed to get out my 15-foot pole.”

Justice’s best as a junior only was 11-6. He began working with a coach in Columbus during the summer, and he vaulted up to 13-6 during the indoor season. Then, his ascension has been completed by a memorable May.

At the regional meet, Justice was disappointed he could not approach his personal best, but that could come during the state meet. Westerville Central’s Charlie Moushey cleared 15-0 to win the regional title, one of only two vaulters to clear 15-0 around the state a week ago.

If Justice finds his rhythm, who knows?

“Next week at state, it is go big or go home,” Justice said. “I was disappointed I only cleared 14-0, but I believe next week I will be on the 15-foot pole and going after No. 1 or No. 2 in the state hopefully.”  more