Cory Carswell article (TX)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/sp ... 7&cxcat=12

A successful journey... with a disappointing finish

|By JON DUSTIN BROOKS, Sports Writer|
Thursday, April 13, 2006

HALLSVILLE – He vaulted high into the air, rising cleanly above the 11-foot, 6-inch, clearance pole, appearing to be on his way to the next round of competition.

Unfortunately for Cory Carswell, however, it all came falling down.

Literally.

After reaching his summit, Carswell scarcely grazed the limber pole below him on his downward descent, knocking the pole off its stand and to the padded mat below, consequently eliminating himself from the event.

In short, Carswell's final high school track meet did not wind up as he had hoped it would.

Despite being the favorite to win the pole vault competition – according to Marshall track coach Terry Ward – heading into the District 17-4A track meet, Carswell failed to advance past the first batch of competitors, scratching on three straight attempts of his start height of 11-6.

"He had the best heights coming in (to this meet)," said Ward. "Sometimes things happen that you just cannot explain. A lot of pole vaulting is in your head."

A dissatisfied Carswell also expressed his thoughts on the outcome.

"I am definitely disappointed," said Carswell. "I should have won this easily. All of these (competitors) are guys that I have beaten before. It was not a case of nerves. I guess I just did not get enough practice."

Although Carswell may not have ended his prep career in a storybook-fashion, his journey to the finish line was quite successful.

Carswell collected four gold medals throughout the track season and one bronze medal as the only pole vaulter on the Marshall track and field team.

That included first-place finishes at the Jacksonville meet and the Greenville meet, where Carswell cleared a height of 13-feet, 6-inches to beat out over 40 competitors earlier this season.

Ward said that Carswell has cleared over 13-feet four or five times this season.

"He is a strong kid," said Ward. "He is a kid that loves to compete and wants to be out there. He has better things ahead of him."

Ward said that Carswell is planning to attend Stephen F. Austin State University next fall with "an opportunity to continue pole vaulting."