Ashville, Ohio — Last year at the 2012 State Track meet, Grant Hay’s clearance of 14-06 would have left him standing below just one other competitor in the Div. II pole vault. This year it earned him a ticket to Nervousville. Hay, who grabbed the eighth and final spot for All-Ohio in the pole vault at State one year ago with a leap of 13-06, went one foot higher this year, but had to sweat out the final few competitors’ efforts before settling in to the identical spot he claimed last year. Hay’s 14-06 at the Div. II State meet on Friday, June 7 at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus was good for eighth, thus allowing him to become a two-time All-Ohioan in the pole vault. “A bunch of kids last year were young, so there were a lot of guys back again this year who were more experienced and hungry to make it to the podium,” said Hay. “It was just a great year with a lot of quality competition.” Much like teammate Natalie Abraham in the discus, Hay had to sit nervously and watch the competition, Hay being one of six competitors to bow out at 14-06. He snuck in, unlike ninth place finisher Jake Sprague of CVCA, who was left on the outside looking in despite clearing 14-06 as well. Hay had cleared 14-06 on his third and final attempt, talk about clutch performances, and he said that certainly didn’t help him in his quest to secure an All-Ohio spot on the podium. “Fortunately I hadn’t missed much up until that point,” said Hay. “I had cleared 14 feet my first time, and that really helped me.” Hay said his goals going into the State competition were to again make it to the podium, and to go higher than his 13-06 last season. more
