Reedsburg, Wisconsin — Josh deBlock knows what Jake Nemitz is going through. A year ago, deBlock was dealing with the same nerves, the same doubts, the same pressures. DeBlock overcame them, and so did Nemitz, who is going to the WIAA Division 1 State Track and Field Meet in the boys pole vault. “Coming into sectionals, you’ve got guys going up so high,” deBlock said. DeBlock was one of those high fliers in 2012, as he cleared 14 feet to set a school record on his way to state. Now, DeBlock is back as an assistant coach with the Reedsburg Area High School track and field team, lending whatever advice he can to Nemitz and the Beavers’ other pole vaulters — including sophomore Tommie Brenner, who also has advanced to state for the Reedsburg girls. As for Nemitz, deBlock doesn’t doubt for a second that Nemitz has bigger vaults ahead of him. “I think he could easily go 14 feet,” deBlock said. “He just has to put it all together.” That’s something Nemitz did at sectionals, as he vaulted 13-3, a personal best. Between attempts at sectionals, Nemitz and deBlock talked about technique and strategy, and Nemitz has benefitted from deBlock’s experience and knowledge. more
