Leaving a trail of broken records in Canton (PA)

[ec1vaulter]

http://thedailyreview.com/site/index.cf ... 5049&rfi=8

04/24/2006
Leaving a trail of broken records in Canton
By Brian Fees

When this year began Canton's pole vaulters had expectations for a successful year.


Junior Misty Owen had hopes of breaking her own school record in the event and maybe contending for a shot at the state meet.
For the boys, sophomore Tim Layng and junior Nick Lentz dreamed of possibly reaching the school record of 11-feet, which had stood for more than 30 years.
Over the past two weeks those expectations have risen as all three Canton athletes have soared to new heights in the pole vault.
It all started last week when Owen broke her own school record by vaulting 9-feet against Towanda. On Tuesday she broke the record again by going 9-feet, 6-inches against Williamson and on Thursday she went 10-feet against North Penn, equaling the state qualifying mark.
"It's been exciting," Owen said. "It certainly boosts our self-confidence."
Owen isn't the only one shattering records at Canton. Until Tuesday the Warriors' mark in the pole vault had stood since 1971; in the past week both Lentz and Layng have gone 11-feet, 6-inches or higher.
On Tuesday Layng went 11-feet, 6-inches, while Lentz tied the old school record of 11-feet. Thursday Lentz went 11-feet, 6-inches and Layng went a step further, reaching 12-feet. Even Saturday, during a strong rain, Lentz was able to clear 11-feet, 6-inches for the third time in a week.
"It's really exciting," Lentz said. "We have districts coming up and it's going to be fun."
A lot of the credit for the Warriors' success may stem from the help of coach Kurt Dunn, who has improved the performance of all three vaulters.
"He's helped a ton; he's been a godsend," Lentz said. "The difference between last year and this year is so much. It's nice to just sit and learn."
The three vaulters have also been able to learn from each other, while encouraging the others to even more success.
"It's a lot of fun. Everyone encourages each other," Layng said. "We have the captain system for whoever gets the best height and it really pushes us."
The record-breaking heights have also led to more points for the Warriors as a team. With the vaulters regularly picking up top finishes, Canton has been helped in the league standings.
"It feels better to know that we have been able to help the team," Lentz said.
For Owen the success hasn't just come in vaulting, as the junior also tied the school record in the high jump at 4-feet, 10-inches on Tuesday and broke the mark by going 5-feet on Thursday.
"It's been a lot of fun," Owen said of this week's success.
With the early success the three Warriors have found, those early season expectations are beginning to change.
"Originally the goal was to make it to districts," Lentz said. "Now, hopefully we can make it to states."
With the success all three have found this year, the idea of all three earning a spot in the PIAA meet is suddenly seeming like something they may be able to achieve.
"Everyone is behind us when we vault," Layng said. "It would be so nice to go to states."
"We dream about it," Lentz says of the idea of all three heading to Shippensburg.
Just a week ago Owen hoped to sometime reach the state qualifying mark of 10-feet. With that number achieved she now hopes to continue reaching that mark, especially when it matters at the district meet.
"I just want to go out and keep breaking the record," she said. "I want to reach the state height again and just keep climbing."
And the idea of heading to Shippensburg with her two teammates is something now being considered by Owen.
"I think it's possible," she said.
With all three vaulters being underclassmen, the future is beginning to look bright for the Canton Warriors.
"This year I just want to make it to states, but next year is my senior year," Owen said. "Next year I want to win states."
When the three look back to the past, even the recent past such as a few weeks ago, they can hardly believe how far they've come.
"It's been really cool," Lentz said. "I remember when the season began and coach put the pole up to 11-feet, we just looked up and thought about how high it was.
"Now when coach tells us he wants us to vault 11-feet we ask: 'Is that all?' Now we are looking to go 11-feet, 6-inches and 12-feet."

[WarriorsNvrQuit]

Hey, was just browsing Google w/ my name and look what showed up. I'm Tim from Canton.

[ec1vaulter]

You guys are doing well this year. I went to high school with your coach and vaulted against him in college. It's good to see how much he is helping you guys out. Stick with what he says and you will be at your best at the end of each season.

I'll see you this summer... I am hosting a pole vault clinic at Towanda High School and Kurt is one of the individuals helping out.

Good luck this weekend at districts.

[A-Dawg]

Nice Find Tim. Can't wait for summer vaulting.


-Nick

[WarriorsNvrQuit]

Videos from some of our meets are on google video, just go to google video and search either Tim Layng, Misty Owen, or Kurt Dunn...there aren't any of Kurt vaulting, he just ran the Lasagna Mile at Wyalusing. Video quality isn't the best. I'll have the rest of our meets up soon.

[vault3rb0y]

awesome man, great jumps keep up the great work!

[A-Dawg]

thanks