RITZVILLE–On the strength of a state pole vault championship, a pair of second-place finishes and a smattering of thirds, fourth, and other medalist finishes, the Pomeroy Pirate Boys Track Team finished second out of a field of 17 teams, a scant seven points behind regional rival St. John-Endicott-LaCrosse. The Pirate Girls were a respectable tenth place with 34 points, helped by Raelin Borley's second-place javelin throw and other teammates' third through eighth finishes.

"It was a successful season results-wise," commented Head Coach Adam Van Vogt, "with many of our athletes having times and marks that put them in the state's top 10, but we also saw many athletes improve on their base times and marks and I think that is a great measure of success; seeing our kids end the season as better athletes than when they entered.

"It was also one of the best teams that I have ever coached as far as camaraderie," Van Vogt observed. "These kids enjoyed being around each other and us coaches really enjoyed the opportunity to interact with them. They worked hard and often stayed after practice would officially end to work on their craft and it showed in the results they had this year in meets."

Colton Slaybaugh's 14-0 pole vault was good for first place, a foot above nearest challenger Pilot Weishaar of Odessa. Teammate Braedon Fruh was third at 10-6, Tyler Slaybaugh PRd at 10-0 for fourth, Tyler Bagby cleared 9-6 for fifth and Kyler Denny went to 8-6 for a third through sixth sweep.

Pomeroy's 4X100 team of Braedon Fruh, Nicholas Vendeland, Tyler Slaybaugh, Colton Slaybaugh, finished second in 48.88, the best time in the state, Van Vogt said. Another boys' second place was Nicholas Vendeland's 5-6 high jump.

Colton Slaybaugh's third-place finish in the 100m. in 12.56 was outstanding, he said.

For the Pirate Girls, Raelin Borley hucked the javelin 101-1 for a second-place medal along with Brooklyn Bailey of SJEL. Top thrower was sophomore Sydnee Pettis of Selkirk with a 121-11 heave.

Borley was third in the discus with a PR of 87-10 and fourth in the shot with a 31-2.5 throw.

Pirate boys who placed (top 8 finishers placed, scored points, and medaled):

Colton Slaybaugh- 1st in pole vault (14-0), and 3rd in the 100 (12.56)

Nicholas Vendeland- 4th in the 100 (12.61), 3rd in the 200 (25.36), and 2nd in high jump (5-6)

Tyler Slaybaugh- 8th in the 100 (12.86) and 4th in pole vault (10-0)

Troy Steele- 5th in shot put (39-2") and 8th in javelin (116-0)

Braedon Fruh- 3rd in pole vault (10-6)

-Submitted photo

Finishing second in the javelin, third in discus and fourth in shot put, Pomeroy's Raelin Borley enjoyed a successful state meet.

Tyler Bagby- 5th in pole vault (9-6)

Kyler Denny- 6th in pole vault (8-6)

Boy's 4x100 Relay- 2nd (48.88) Braedon Fruh, Nicholas Vendeland, Tyler Slaybaugh, Colton Slaybaugh

Boy's 4x400 Relay- 6th (4:13) Kyler Denny, Josh Kepner, Tyler Slaybaugh, Colton Slaybaugh

Girls who placed (top 8 finishers placed, scored points, and medaled):

Ashlee Pemberton- 7th in javelin (78-0) and 8th in the 100 hurdles (23.44) 

Raelin Borley- 2nd in javelin (101-1), 3rd in discus (87-10), and 4th in shot put (31-2.5)

Haliee Brewer- 4th in pole vault (6-0) and 5th in high jump (4-4) 

Natalia Larios- 5th in pole vault (5-6)