Lee's Summit North article (MO)

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http://www.examiner.net/stories/042406/ ... 6020.shtml

Sports Commentary


Broncos soaring to new heights


Bill Althaus
The Examiner


Tom Jordan looked like a proud father.



I'm sure if the Lee's Summit North vaulting coach would have had some cigars, he would have handed them out at the Blue Springs Relays.

Jordan was a member of the Lee's Summit High School vaulting team that set the pole vaulting record of 40 feet back in 1989.

And even without state medalist Scott Betsher competing Saturday, Jordan's team of talented young vaulters broke the 17-year-old mark by 3 inches.

"Am I proud? You bet I'm proud," said Jordan, who went on to vault at the University of Missouri. "I knew they had a shot at the record - it was something we talked about. And they went out and did it."

Mario Montenero vaulted 13-0, Jordan Miller 13-6 and Kyle Wineinger cleared 13-9 to beat Jordan and his Tiger teammates' long-standing mark.

"I knew I needed to get 13-9 - or that someone on the team needed 13-9," Wineinger said. "It was awesome to get first-place and also break the record. I know coach Jordan really wanted us to do it."

The weather was perfect for all events, but Wineinger said it was especially ideal for the vault.

"We started off with a little headwind," said Wineinger, a sophomore, "and then, by the end of the competition, we had a perfect tail wind.

"I got a PR (personal record), we got the (meet) record and won the competition. It was a pretty good day."

Betsher, who placed fifth at state last year, joined Bronco teammates Dustin Andrews (high jump) and Jacob Boone (mile) at the Kansas Relays and did not compete in Blue Springs.

"Betsher actually competed Friday and did real well," Jordan said, "but we wanted to give some of the younger guys the chance to see how they could do at this meet."

No pun intended, but they rose to the occasion.

"I'll say they did," said longtime Broncos head track coach Kris Solsberg, whose squad placed third overall at the Relays with 83 points. "Tom was my first hire - and one of my best. I'm as proud of him as I am the vaulters. This year, we could have a really special group."

That's a fact that hasn't been lost on the team.

"This was fun," Montenero said. "I like the way they run this meet, where you total all the jumps and add them up. It gets all the guys pumped up, we're out there cheering for everyone and having a good time."

Added Miller, "I love the competition, I love the sport, I love the event - I really enjoy everything about this event."