East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

CHENEY–It was a good State 1B Track and Field meet for Pomeroy with high-flying senior pole vaulter Colton Slaybaugh not only winning the event, but setting a new 1B state record at 14-1.

The Pirate boys scored 40½ points to finish with a fifth-place team trophy. The Lady Pirates were 14th with 18 points.

"I'm thankful that, after two straight years with no state competition, my seniors who competed at state–Troy [Steele], Raelin [Borley], and Colton–all left with at least one medal and that Colton achieved a state championship and record vault," said Head Coach Adam VanVogt. "They all worked hard for their accomplishments but had to wait patiently for the meet to happen and I'm glad to see them going out on the medal podium."

Colton Slaybaugh added to his state record in the pole vault with 10th in the 100 (11.98), 11th in long jump (17'4.25"), and he anchored the 4X100 Relay, which finished third (45.75).

"Even though I got two years taken away from me with covid," Slaybaugh commented, "I still will never forget my experience at Roos Field, performing in front of the crowd, and I think I can speak for the rest of the athletes that have competed there as well."

He thinks the state meet is a very good experience and hopes it inspires younger athletes to compete to the best of their abilities.

In addition to Colton Slaybaugh, Sidney Bales captured a trio of third-place medals (100m, 200m, Pole Vault and 4X100 Relay), one of the handful of Pirates who medaled and added to the team's scoring.

Bales's accomplishment was "a very difficult achievement to accomplish," VanVogt said. "The fact that he placed top four in all four of those events makes it even more impressive.

"Colton Slaybaugh, Tyler Slaybaugh, Braedon Fruh, Raelin Borley, and Katie Boyer also placed in multiple events which is also a significant accomplishment," VanVogt said.

Bales was third in the 100 (11.65), third in pole vault (13'), and fourth in the 200 (23.97). He ran the second leg of the 4X100 Relay.

Tyler Slaybaugh finished seventh in the 100 (11.93) and 11th in pole vault (10'6").

Troy Steele came in sixth in javelin (140'8") and 10th in shot put (38'.5").

Braedon Fruh landed 7th in pole vault (11') and had the important role of starting both relays.

Tyler Bagby came in eighth in pole vault (10'6").

For the Lady Pirates, Raelin Borley landed a third in shot put (33'9") and fifth in javelin (107'5").

-Photo courtesy of Fred Knebel

Pirate pole vaulter Colton Slaybaugh finished his high-school career by setting a new state record for 1B pole vaulters at 14-1.

Katie Boyer took third in pole vault (8'6").

The Girl's 4x400 Relay scored by finishing 7th (4:49) with Bethany Zimmerman, Katie Boyer, Michealle Debord, Haliee Brewer on the team. The Girl's 4x100 Relay came in 10th (57.49) with the same four legs.

Pomeroy's Boy's 4x100 Relay took 3rd (45.75) with Braedon Fruh, Sidney Bales, Tyler Slaybaugh, Colton Slaybaugh. The team of Braedon Fruh, Trevin Walton, Kyzer Herres, Tyler Slaybaugh finished just shy of the medals in the Boy's 4x400 Relay- 9th (3:51).

"Our season ends after advancing 18 athletes to state, winning regionals, and making many great memories," VanVogt said. "We had a lot of accomplishments this season but when I hear the kids talk and I think back on this season, it seems the memories we made from being around each other will be just as prominent as the feats we achieved."