Maryland Vaulter Survives Move From Florida

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Vaulter thrives in pole position



01/28/04
BY TOM WORGO
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Joe Dillard of Perry Hall High had two legs up on the competition in the pole vault at the Baltimore County Indoor Track and Field Championship.

When he first started classes at Perry Hall High in the fall after moving from Florida in June, Joe Dillard faced challenges that seemed daunting.

Indoor track, though, would be a good way for him to get acclimated to his new surroundings.

Even through Dillard competed for two years outdoors in the pole vault at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., indoor track presented him with some obstacles.

"The first meet I worried a lot," Dillard said. "I hadn't run on a flat surface before. At my school in Florida, it was a rubberized surface."

An adjustment to a new surface wasn't Perry Hall Coach Brad Kressman's biggest concern about Dillard. He wondered how Dillard would handle a crowded indoor meet.

"The major difference between indoor and outdoor obviously everything is much more condensed," he said. "There are more distractions and it's almost like a three-ring circus. "

But nothing bothered Dillard once he had a few performances under his belt.

Now, he's starting to compile titles.

The latest one came last week in the Baltimore County Championships at the 5th Regiment Armory.

Dillard's 11-foot, 6-inch vault overwhelmed the competition, placing two feet ahead of runner-up Desmond Hubbard of Dulaney High.

Dulaney's Charlie Bond (8-feet-6) took third and Perry Hall's Mike Myers (8-feet-6) placed fourth.

After Dillard's win in the county championships, Kressman appears anxious to see what Dillard can accomplish at the regional and state levels.

The coach compares Dillard to two-time county champ Kenny DeFontes, who graduated in June and finished fifth in the state last year.

As a junior, Dillard is about on par with DeFontes as a senior, Kressman said.

"I think Joe might have a little more speed and a little more potential," Kressman said.

Dillard first showed his vast potential at the highly regarded National Guard meet when he recorded a jump of 11 feet.

"It's a very prestigious meet," Kressman said. "It's been a long time since we have had anybody win anything in the guard meet."

Dillard also placed first in the Baltimore County relays and tied for second in the Loyola Relays.