Pole Vault Coming to Prairie Central (IL)

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Pole vaulting coming to Prairie Central
By Doris L. White/The Blade

FORREST -- A pole vault program cleared the bar with the Prairie Central Board of Education on Monday.

After hearing a presentation from teacher and coach Joe Oprondek, who had coached pole vault in the Fairbury-Cropsey district, the predecessor to Prairie Central, the board approved his request to offer the sport in the district.

Oprondek had approached the board about a year ago with the proposal, but it was decided to wait until after the district's merger with Chenoa. He said he was back to put in his request again. Oprondek said he had talked to the athletic boosters club and has been promised $10,000 to help with the program. He said a pole vault program would cost about $8,900 except for the poles. There is $1,400 in the Track Builders Fund for the poles, which cost about $200 apiece. He said they need about 10 poles, but could get by with fewer to begin the program.

Oprondek said he thought if he could get permission to move things around there could be a place for storage of the equipment when the season is over. The equipment would be used from April to June. He said that the junior high is also invited to participate, but a schedule would have to be worked out. He also said that Prairie Central is the only school in the Corn Belt Conference without pole vault and thus cannot hold any track-and-field events that could bring more revenue to the district.

Oprondek said he has attended three clinics concerning the program. He said he couldn't promise any achievements yet, but "wants to get the ball rolling."