Article: Doyle flies high amongst best vaulters in nation

[achtungpv]

Doyle flies high amongst best vaulters in nation

by Jason Gordon
Wednesday, April 12, 2006 3:40 PM CDT

sports@haysfreepress.com

AUSTIN-Jessica Doyle wasn't intimidated when she heard the nation's No. 1 high school pole-vaulter was coming to the Texas Relays. In fact, she nearly beat her.

For the second straight year, Doyle, a sophomore at Hays High School, finished third in the prestigious event last week at the University of Texas' Mike Myers Stadium.

Katie Veith, who tied the all-time national record with a vault of 14 feet earlier in her career, traveled from her home state of Indiana to Austin and cleared 12-10 to win the event in the Texas Relays. McKinney's Britany Parker finished second, also clearing 12-10 but with more misses.

Doyle cleared 12-6, but came very close to tying Veith and Parker.

"I was pretty close to clearing 12-10, especially on my second attempt," Doyle said. "I was thinking, 'Hey, maybe,' on my way up, but then I came down on the crossbar.

"I was still really pleased to finish third again because of the level of competition at the Texas Relays."

Doyle had the luxury of competing alongside fellow Hays Lady Rebel Dominique Robles, who finished in 12th place in the Texas Relays "B" division with a 10-foot vault.

"It was really fun to cheer each other on," Doyle said. "We had the Hays pride going on at the Texas Relays."

Doyle set her personal best of 12-6.5 feet at the regional qualifier at Texas State University last year as a freshman and has been consistently right around that mark this season. She went on to finish second at the state meet in 2005.

Doyle's list of pole-vaulting accomplishments is expanding rapidly.

She was the top freshman and finished 11th overall at the Nike Outdoor Championships last summer in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Doyle then earned All-American status recently over spring break by finishing fifth overall in the Nike Indoor Championships in Landover, Md. The top six finishers in the event were named All-American.

"It was definitely exciting when I was told I made All-American," Doyle said. "It's nice to have your name mentioned with the best in the country in your event."

In addition, Doyle has won every high school event she's entered, both last year and this year, except for that second-place finish at state as a freshman.

She will have a chance to erase those memories May 12-13 at the state meet, which will also be held at Myers Stadium, granted she makes it out of the regional round in Waco April 28-29.

Doyle won the District 16-5A meet for the second consecutive year at Westlake Tuesday. Hays teammates Bailey Holmes finished second in the event and Robles finished third in district.

"We're always impressed with what Jessica does out there," Hays girls head track coach Terry Green said. "She's one of those athletes with unlimited potential."

Doyle's immediate goals are to capture a state title.

"I have three chances left," Doyle said. "One of my major goals is definitely to win a state title in my career."

Another mission is to clear 13 feet by the end of this year and 14 feet by the time her days as a high school athlete are over.

"I hope I have that in me," Doyle said. "I know it will take years of training and going to meets in the spring and summer. But it's something I really enjoy right now and I'm looking forward to trying to meet all my goals."

Doyle said that although she's already received several letters from colleges. She's not looking past high school at the moment.

"It's cool to get the letters right now, but I have two years of high school left," she said. "I'm planning on enjoying them."

[AVC Coach]

Great young lady with a the right attitude! Good luck to Jessica!