Coach: Freshman has bright future in pole vault

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

Cassville’s pair of pole vaulters competing in the Class 3 State Track and Field Championship matched one another, both taking 12th in their respective competitions.

Senior Corbin Rhoads, who this season set the school record in pole vault, tied for 12th place out of 14 with a height of 3.65 meters. The school record, set at the Wildcat Relays, is 4.35 meters, and Rhoads cleared 4 meters at the sectional meet.

The winner at state, Blair Oaks’ Tomas Gonzalez, cleared 4.9 meters.

“I was proud of how well he competed this year,” said Clay Weldy, Cassville boys track coach. “He made it to state through a lot of hard work. He walks away with our school record in pole vault, as well. He has a lot to be proud of.”

In the girls’ competition, freshman Hopelyne Thompson took 12th out of 13, clearing 2.65 meters. The winner, Lawson’s Kamryn Florea, cleared 3.45 meters, matched by Claire Page, of Centralia, and Aubryanna Allen, also of Lawson.

Erin Flehmer, Cassville girls track coach, said Thompson has a bright future in the sport.

“Hopelyne was the only freshmen to compete in the class 3 pole vault,” Flehmer said. “Opening height was her current personal record, and she cleared with ease. The next height was 9’2 (2.8 meters), and each attempt she was close. She competed well as a freshmen, and her future is bright.”