TONTOGANY, OHIO - Cole Gorski didn’t even qualify for the regional track and field meet the last two seasons. The Otsego High School pole vaulter is using those failures to motivate him. And his senior season is off to a terrific start. He’s already won the state indoor championship in his specialty and he’s one of the favorites to win the Division II outdoor championship in June. Gorski also has earned a scholarship to vault at Ohio State and recently signed his national letter of intent with the Buckeyes. The 5-foot-11, 164-pounder won the Northern Buckeye Conference championship last season by clearing 14-0, but he jumped only 13-6 in the district meet to finish seventh and miss the regional. The top four finishers in the district qualified for the regional. As a sophomore, Gorski was fourth at 12-0, but didn’t clear the bar on any of his attempts in the district meet. The top four regional finishers then qualify for state. “Not making the regional really eats at me because the pole vault has always been my thing,” Gorski said. “When I got to those big meets, I seemed to choke. Now, it’s fuel on the fire and it makes you practice harder, work harder. It stays in the back of your mind. It pushes you to do better.” Gorski cleared his indoor-best of 15-9 to win the state title last month. He’s already gone 15-0 during the outdoor season, bettering his previous best of 14-3. more
