Reaching new heights

Caleigh Lofstead is boldly going higher than she has ever gone before with a pole in her hands.

The Camas High School senior launched 13 feet off the ground for the first time outdoors April 19, at Heritage High School. At the McMinnville Invitational Friday, she eclipsed 13 feet, 3 inches to beat 12 other competitors at Wortman Stadium. That is a new personal best for Lofstead. She is determined to reach new heights before vaulting off to Vanderbilt University.

“I jumped 13 feet before indoors,” she said. “It feels good to be able to do it again and know I’m still up there.”

Smashing through that 13-foot glass ceiling was a long time coming for this Papermaker. Lofstead leaped 12-9.5 at the 2015 Oregon Relays. She won the 4A state pole vault championship with a meet record mark of 12-7. She was over the bar set at 13 feet on her final attempt at state. The crowd at Mt. Tahoma Stadium was going wild as she landed on the other side, but then the bar came crashing down. Lofstead reached to 12-9.5 again at the 2016 Oregon Relays. Four days later, she finally conquered that 13-foot monster.

“It’s an awesome experience to have nice weather and finally make that mark I’ve been working so hard to get for over a year,” Lofstead said. “Just making it over that bar and knowing that I made it. That’s my favorite part.”

The temperature was in the high 80s when Loftsead started her vaults at Heritage High School. After it took her three attempts to get over at 12-6, Lofstead didn’t hesitate. She got back on the runway and cleared 13 feet on her first try.

“I couldn’t wait to get back out there and hit that same jump,” Lofstead said. “I just had that feeling. I was ready.”

Lofstead made three solid attempts at 13-3. She would make that mark three days later at the McMinnville Invitational.

“I try not to make a big deal about the next height. Just try and make the same jump,” Lofstead said. “Consistency is key. You kind of learn what it takes to get higher after each PR.”

McMinnville results

The Camas girls track and field team racked up 266.5 points to win the 8-school invitational. McMinnville was a distant second place with 171.66 points.

Karsyn Quade clinched first place in the 40-meter dash, in 5.54 seconds, the 100 dash, in 19.23 seconds, and the 200 dash, in 26.77 seconds.

Elle Postma earned first place in the 800 (2:21.66), Rachel Blair grabbed first place the 1,500 (4:46.12), Madison Child clinched first place in the 3,000 (11:01.25), Madison Peffers finished first in the high jump (5 feet), Dietz took first place in the long jump (15-9.75) and Haleigh Sudbeck won the hammer (150-8).

Cambryn Gulzow, Postma, Maddie Woodson and Blair claimed first place in the 1,600 relay (4:10.73). Woodson, Postma, Emma Jenkins and Blair earned first place in the 3,200 relay (10:33.30).

The Camas boys finished in second place with 192.33 points. McMinnville won with 217.83 points.

Adam Ryan won the 800 (1:58.76) and Dustin Zimmerly followed in second place (2:03.27). Yacine Guermali grabbed second place in the 1,500 (4:07.96).

Ryan, Cade Greseth, Albert and Zimmerly earned first place in the 1,600 relay (3:31.56). Ryan, Guermali, Greseth and Zimmerly clinched first place in the 3,200 relay (8:54.65).

William Sun won the 300 hurdles (42.31) and secured second place in the 110 hurdles (16.23). Cooper McNatt notched first place in the javelin (161-5) and Mason Ellis earned first place in the hammer (143-9).

After hosting Mountain View and Skyview today at Cardon Field, the Papermakers compete in the Jesuit Relays Friday in Beaverton, Oregon.