Pine Tree, Texas –James McNaney is one step away from reaching the 2014 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships. Well, actually a vault away.The junior-to-be at Pine Tree High School will compete in the regional meet Saturday in San Marcos. A Top 5 finish in the pole vault will send him to the national meet July 21-27 in Humble.“I feel confident that I will qualify for the Junior Olympics,” McNaney said. “I know I will be facing some good competition. I’ve done research on a few of the competitors, and they’re jumping my height or higher, so I know I have to bring my best.”McNaney qualified for this event with a height of 14-6, but his personal best is 15-0.Pine Tree track and field coach Mike Darby said McNaney was the district champion in eighth grade with a height of 12-0. But early in his freshman season, McNaney broke his arm, which forced him to miss the rest of the year.McNaney returned to full strength as a sophomore and took first place in District 14-4A with his best height of 15-0. more
