We will all miss the great pole vaulter in Illinois history Zach Bradford
Pole Vault-
2018 State Champion: Zachery Bradford (Bloomington) 17-6
Key Athletes: James Leahy (Sr., Palatine Fremd), Gil Braglia (Sr., St. Charles North), Reed Wilson (Sr., Normal Community), Brendon Hill (Sr., Elmhurst York), Jake MacConnachie (Sr., Wheaton Warrenville South), Matt Dauksha (Sr., Batavia), Zach Frye (Jr., Roselle [Lake Park]), Joe Ives (Sr., Wheaton Warrenville South), Luke Fissinger (Sr., Palatine Fremd), Andrew Saloga (Jr., Aurora [Marmion Academy])
Breakdown: Zachery Bradford has dominated pole vault for the past three seasons and the greatest that our state has seen, has graduated and is now at the University of Kansas. Now the question is who will grab the "brass ring"?
Zach Frye is coming off a summer that saw him break the 15-foot barrier. Last season was his first year of track and he found himself right at home with a pole in his hand. He took 14th at state last May and will look to battle for the title this go around.
James Leahy is coming off a 12th place performance at the state meet. The two-time state qualifier will be looking to break 15 feet this year and get an all-state honor.
Gil Braglia returns with experience at high profile meets. The Polaris' star vaulter competed at both Illinois Top Times (11th) and at the state meet (16th) making him one of the most experienced competitors in the field. He wants the school record this year which is held by Cam Wright (2017) and Joshua Pelock (2015) who vaulted a 15-3.
Reed Wilson is the top returner from the state last May after he took 8th place to earn the first all-state honor of his career. He enters the year with many people placing the target firmly on his back.
Jake MacConnachie had a breakout year last season that culminated with a 9th place finish at the state meet. The Tigers vaulter emerged from the shadows of former teammate Tom Ansiel and expects to leave his own legacy.