Sacramento Bee feature (with video) on Blair Wallingford

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From the Sacramento Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/951302.html

State meet steppingstone
Roseville's Blair Wallingford seeks a Master-ful performance
By Quwan Spears - qspears@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The bigger the competition, the better Blair Wallingford performs.

The Roseville High School senior pole vaulter can't explain why. All he knows is he gets a rush during those occasions.

"For some reason, when things get tight and when things are on the line, I do really well," he said. "I don't understand it, and I can't figure it out. Maybe it's the charge I get when the fans and my fellow competitors clap in sync as I jet down the runway. Or maybe it's just luck.

"Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't stop."

Wallingford will compete in the two-day Sac-Joaquin Section Masters track and field meet, which begins Thursday at Hughes Stadium. He enters ranked third in the state and first in the section with a mark of 16 feet, 7 inches. Derek Masterson of Ponderosa is fourth in the state and second in the section (16-2).

Among a talented field of boys and girls, others to watch include girls distance runner Laurynne Chetelat (Davis), girls hurdler Tenise Brewer (Florin) and boys hurdler Marcus McMillan (Vacaville).

The top three finishers in each of Friday's Masters finals and all athletes competing in the finals who meet state qualifying standards will qualify for the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships, May 30-31 at Cerritos College in Norwalk.

Wallingford is trying to break a trend of producing stellar performances only to be bested by Nico Weiler when the Los Gatos vaulter is in the field.

Weiler is the state pole vault leader at 17-4 1/2, followed by Justin Miller of California of San Ramon at 17 feet.

At the 2007 CIF State Championships at Hughes Stadium, Wallingford finished second, going 16-4 and surpassing his previous personal best of 15-6. The same day, though, Weiler set a state meet record, clearing 17-2 on his third attempt and breaking the previous mark of 17-1, set by Granite Bay's Scott Roth in 2005.

At the Arcadia Invitational on April 12, Wallingford set a career best with a mark of 16-7, but Weiler won the competition with a vault of 17-4.

"Nico is just an awesome competitor who knows how to get it done," Wallingford said. "For some reason, I have not been able to beat him. But hopefully things will change soon."

Confidence could lead to a breakthrough for Wallingford, said Jeff Bailey, Roseville's track and field co-coach.

"In competing in those big meets, Blair proved to himself that he could compete with those elite guys," Bailey said. "Moreover, I think those meets helped him develop more confidence and better focus, especially when the pressure is on. He knows he has to concentrate and focus if he wants to win."

Big jumps in big competitions also could secure a scholarship for Wallingford. So far, Wallingford has received interest from Pacific-10 Conference schools, including Oregon and UCLA.

"Nothing is definite," Bailey said. "But if Blair continues to do well in the big meets and breaks 17 feet, then it's pretty certain a big school will give him a call."
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[vault3rb0y]

Hes already going to get a lot of interest, 16'7" is a huge mark for a high schooler. Congrats man!