Nickles defends state pole vault crown

COLUMBUS - It was a fitting place to happen.

Columbus Grove's Heath Nickles had made several attempts at the Division III pole vault state record this spring.

On Friday, the defending state champion finally broke that record, accomplishing the feat on the very college campus he will compete at next year.

Nickles defended his 2007 pole vault title by clearing a state-record height of 16 feet, 1 ½ inches in the first day of competition at the OHSAA State Track and Field Meet at Ohio State. Nickles will compete for Ohio State's track and field team next year.

Nickles also attempted an all-division record of 16-4 ½, but failed on all three attempts.

There was plenty of hype surrounding the D-III pole vault competition as Nickles went head-to-head with Waynesfield's Gray Horn. Horn finished runner-up to Nickles last year and was the state champion in 2006.

However, Friday's matchup came down to Nickles versus Nickles.

Horn, after missing his first two opening attempts at 14-8, pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury on his third and final attempt. Horn has battled a hamstring injury all season.

After Horn's misfortune, however, it was all about going for the state record for Nickles.

Nickles cleared the record height on his third and final attempt.

When Nickles landed in the pit and realized he had cleared the bar, he immediately sprinted out to his long-time pole vault and hurdle coach, Bob Baxter and gave him a hug.

"It's been building up for a long time," an emotional Nickles said. "I'm still shaking. I had come so close before and to do it here is nice. Hopefully, my coaches ... next year's coaches (OSU coaches) ... saw me do it. Hopefully, they're up in the press box or somewhere watching."

Nickles said he switched to a bigger pole on his final attempt at the state record.

"I started using the 16-foot pole," Nickles said. "It was a big transition. It seemed pretty easy. I just ran as fast as I could ... I planted as hard as I could ... and then threw my body over the bar."

Baxter said he knew Nickles had to switch poles if he wanted to increase his chances of getting the record. "He's only used it a couple times, though."

Nickles said, "Last year was awesome (first state title). This year, tops it all ... winning the title and getting the state record."

Nickles said he felt bad for Horn, who has been both a long-time friend and rival.

"It's too bad," Nickles said. "You hate to see that."

Today, Nickles will try to defend his state title in the 300 hurdles. The D-III 300 hurdles are scheduled to start at 10:40 a.m.

HORN WINS LONG JUMP CROWN

Less than an hour before he began the pole vault competition, Horn notched his first state title in the long jump by leaping 21-11 ¾.

"I was really pushed by Patrick Reichert of St. Henry (second place, 21-7 ½)," Horn said. "It's been that way all year. It was nice for us to finish one-two."

If he can bounce back from his injury, Horn will compete today in the finals of the 110 hurdles.