Already an MIAA champion, senior Will Haer is looking to claim more than a conference title-his sights are set on a national championship. Haer wants to build on a stellar junior campaign where he was the MIAA pole vault champion with a vault of 16 feet 3.5 inches but failed to clear the opening height of 15 feet 9 inches at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. “I had a great last season,” Haer said. “I won conference, but I didn’t do so well at nationals. So, this season I just want to come back and hopefully repeat conference and be an All-American and get that in the belt. I guess that’s the next step.” Even with Haer’s successful junior year, head coach Scott Lorek still sees places he can improve in his final season as a Bearcat. “He is still a work in progress.” Lorek said, “He will tell you that he is not real satisfied with what he did at the national meet. Most of his struggles come from a mixture of confidence and focus. Those are the main things. He just needs to focus on keeping his mind straight and not getting distracted with other competitors.” Despite his showing at the national championship, Haer has shown that he is able to compete at a high level when it matters most. “I think the biggest thing that he has learned how to do is how to compete in pressure situations and compete at big meets–like at national championships and conference championships,” Lorek said. “In track and field, you can do one thing, then things can be a lot different when you get into a different situation.” Along with putting up points every meet, Lorek says Haer brings different attributes that cannot be seen on paper. “He has been a great athlete and a great personality in our team and our program.” Lorek said, “It’s been exciting, for him to come from the little town of Craig, Mo., and be successful. He has been so much fun to have in our program, and he has been very successful for us.” Haer is the standout of the vaulters, but enjoys watching his fellow male athletes succeed in field events.“I would say that the guys’ team gets along very well.” Haer said, “It’s always high energy and a lot of fun, especially the vault team, and we help each other out. It’s not so much a team sport with pole vaulting, but it’s fun just to watch each other improve.” Haer will begin his pursuit of another MIAA pole vaulting championship Dec. 7 at the Bob Timmons Challenge in Lawrence, Kan. source
