Perry Hall Article (MD)

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Perry Hall duo vaults over top county foes



02/09/05
Tom Worgo
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Among Baltimore County public schools, Perry Hall has become the track program most closely associated with pole vaulting.

Between the varsity and JV the Gators boast a group of 10 strong competitors, probably as many as any other county team.

"It's kind of a spectacle when people watch it at practice," Perry Hall Coach Brad Kressman said. "Different people want to try it. We try to progress things slowly and some more kids have taken an interest in it."

Perry Hall's specialty is much more than just the sheer number of vaulters.

There's no doubt the Gators are the best in the county.

That showed through at the Baltimore County Indoor Track and Field Championships last week at the 5th Regiment Armory, where the team garnered a pair of individual titles in the pole vault.

Senior Joe Dillard won the boys' crown by clearing 12 feet, 6 inches, and Jess Stadler (8 -6) was the girls' champ.

"It hasn't happened like that for us lately," Kressman said of the two championships.

Kressman watched his Gators dominate both the girls' and boys' pole vault competition. In addition to the sweep of the titles, Mike Myers (9-6) took third in the boys event, Joe's freshman sister Ali (7-6) placed third and Kate Reissett (6-6) grabbed fourth to help the Gator girls finish third.

Stadler's wanted to do more than win a county title. She's intensely driven to break the Perry Hall school record of 9 feet, and her mark of 8 feet, 6 inches was a personal best.

"She has been close a couple of times," Kressman said. "She is a sophomore and she is starting to get some momentum. Hopefully, two years from now she can be in a situation like Joe. Joe is competitive at the state level."

Dillard easily earned his second straight county title last week to help Perry Hall to a fifth-place team finish.

Randallstown won the boys team title, while Dulaney took the girls crown.

The pole vault runner-up, Hereford's Tim Davis, finished more than 2 feet behind Dillard.

Dillard, who won a region title last year and finished second in the Class 4A/3A state meet, said his title is "just one step."

Dillard has shown tremendous progress this season in another run at a state crown.

"He just seems a lot more focused and committed to his goal of winning the state championship," Kressman said.

Focus for Dillard means intense preparation. Besides his daily practices with Perry Hall, Dillard works out with some of Maryland's premier pole vaulters twice every other week at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, where the state championships are held.

Dillard is also making the mental adjustments necessary to stay on top of the competition.

After struggling at a recent meet, Dillard theorized he was thinking too much and as a result, losing his focus.

In order to take his mind off the competition, he listens to music, which has helped his concentration.