It was a very special day for the Kennedy family. As has been the case for the past 7 years, theKennedy family donned their traditional Boone High orange outfits to watch another family member join the ranks of state pole vault champion. This time is was John Kennedy’s turn. John, a senior at Boone High School, finally stepped out of the shadow of his sister, Caroline Kennedy, who won 3 consecutive state championships and set the state record at 12’9″ in 2006. John narrowly defeated senior Sean Zupke, from Park Vista High School, with a personal best of 15′. John watched, along with family in the stands, as Sean narrowly failed on his last attempt at 15’6″ to give Kennedy the crown. John’s coach, Dave Cook, was as elated as John as their shared in the celebration of being state champion. I do want to comment on how good John looked making that 15′ bar on a PVC adorned pole, the green and black candy cane.
Finishing in third place was Wyatt Metzger, a senior from Timber Creek in Orlando. Wyatt was the state leader earlier in the year with 15’3″ and also won the Florida Relays with a vault of 15′ narrowly missing 15’6″. Wyatt has been battling an injury through the final stages of the season and gave it a very gutsy try, only taking one warm-up jump and coming in at 14’6″, higher than any of the other competitors. It takes guts to compete like that, kudos for your efforts.
Official results:
- 1st Place – John Kennedy, Senior, Boone High School, 15′
- 2nd Place – Sean Zupke, Senior, Park Vista High School, 15′
- 3rd Place – Wyatt Metzger, Senior, Timber Creek High School, 14’6″
- 4th Place – Drew Marcella, Senior, Taravella High School, 13’6″
- 5th Place – Anthony Lombardo, Senior, Countryside High School, 13’6″
- 6th Place – Roger Bencomo, Senior, Riverview High School, 13′
- 6th Place – Grant Woodruff, Senior, Lake Mary High School, 13′
- 8th Place – Curtis James, Junior, Cypress Bay High School, 13′
