Published: May 08, 2008 11:27 pm            

Woodason sets vault record

Northwest Whitfield teammate, Bridges, places second

Northwest Whitfield’s Nate Woodason soared to new heights Thursday.

Woodason set a Class 4A boys state track and field meet record by clearing 14 feet, 9 3/4 inches and captured his second pole vault championship in three years at Memorial Stadium in Jefferson.

He finished second last spring.

The 18-year-old Bruins senior was the only competitor remaining in the event when he toppled the record, eclipsing the old mark of 14-9 set by Glen Sikes of Parkview in 1985. His closest competition Thursday came from teammate Jake Bridges, who finished second at 14-0.

Woodason, who won a state title as a sophomore in 2006 and was runner-up in 2007 despite a nagging leg injury, slammed the door on other vaulters when he cleared 14-5.

The bar was then moved to what Woodason thought was 14-10 and he cleared that. After measuring again, it was determined the bar was at 14-9 3/4.

“I knew the record was 14-9,” Woodason said. “I cleared what I thought was 14-10 on my third (and last) attempt. I moved it up to 15-5 and couldn’t get over that, but I was closer than I’ve ever been though.”

Not only does Woodason now hold the Class 4A record, he cleared 15-0 in the Region 7-4A meet and broke his brother Ben’s school record set in 2003 by four inches.

“I’ve been successful,” Nate Woodason said. “I’ve accomplished everything I’ve tried for and I’m fulfilled.”

Northwest coach Jason Jackson was impressed with Woodason’s performance on the center stage of high school track and field.

“Nate pretty much went out there and did what we expected him to do,” Jackson said. “To win two titles and finish second once, that’s elite. You have to say he’s done a great job. He’s worked hard and we’re proud of him.”

Woodason also received praise from rival Dalton coach Scott Thompson.

“It was nice to see Nate get that record,” Thomspon said.

Woodason, also a member of the Bruins’ state playoff football team, credits his staying healthy this year to competing on the 400-meter relay team.

“The injury definitely slowed me down last year,” he said. “When last season was over I went to coach Jackson and told him no way I was going to only pole vault this year. I had to do other events. It was obvious I needed to do that to get in better shape.”

Thursday’s championship didn’t end Woodason’s career, though.

He plans to compete in the decathlon in college and already has received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Ben Woodason will graduate from the Air Force Academy on May 28.

Jackson was somewhat surprised by Bridges’ effort coming under such pressure at the state meet, but the 16-year-old junior wasn’t.

“I’ve done 14 before so it didn’t surprise me,” Bridges said. “I’ve done it in practice, but it felt good to do in the state meet. My best up to that point was 13. I was hoping to get 14-6 today, but it didn’t happen. I’m really happy for Nate. I knew he was capable of doing that. and I’m happy with what I did.”

The one-two finish by Woodason and Bridges netted 18 first-day points for the Bruins.

“We thought we could do OK in that event, no doubt,” Jackson said.

The Bruins’ Dean Haynes jumped 20-4 in the long jump and 43-0 3/4 in the triple jump, but did not qualify for the finals in either event.

Jake Biggs went 6-0 in the high jump and also came up short.

Thompson had three athletes in Thursday’s field events.

Jake McIntosh went 46-5 in the shot put while Cameron Hudson had a 20-11 in the long jump and Chas Thomason couldn’t clear the 6-0 opening height. None of the three Catamounts qualified for the finals.

“We had guys competing hard but they weren’t able to get in the final eight,” Thompson said. “We’ve got kids in seven more events (today).”

The Bruins will have five athletes, including Haynes, competing in track events today.

        

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