Whiteland pole vaulter Scott Parrish is coming off a fifth-place performance at last season’s state meet.
Daily Journal file photo
As the third runner on Whiteland’s 4×100 relay team, Scott Parrish is quite familiar with the far turn on the Warriors’ track.
One of coach Brandon Bangel’s first memories of Parrish is him shoveling it.
A snowfall prior to the 2021 season blanketed much of the facility, prompting Bangel to have his athletes grab the nearest shovel and follow his lead.
Parrish, then a sophomore coming out for the sport for the first time, meant business even though no ribbons, medals or team points were being awarded.
“Scott’s not afraid of the work,” said Bangel, who insists he had known Parrish for all of about two days at that point. “He’s 100% committed to what he’s doing.”
And so Parrish shoveled. And shoveled some more. And shoveled anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.
A little more than two years later, Parrish — one of the state’s premier pole vaulters after placing fifth at the state meet last June — continues to push.
In March, the senior won the event at the Hoosier State Relays indoor meet at Indiana University, clearing 15 feet, 6 inches. The Warriors’ outdoor standard of 14-9, is shared by Parrish and former Whiteland standouts Cole Wuest (2014) and Hunter Swails (2010).
The pole vaulter/sprint combination, while rare, does occasionally happen.
“It’s kind of funny. My sophomore year I was a long jumper and sprinter,” Parrish said. “I talked to coach Bangel and asked if I could try pole vaulting.
“As soon as I started, I stepped away from long jump. I do miss doing it, but don’t miss the sand in my shoes and socks.”
Parrish made it over 14 feet to place second in the pole vault at last season’s Greenfield-Central Regional. His busy day also included contributing to the victorious 4×100 relay, which clocked a time of 43.65 seconds.
Nine days later, Parrish medaled in the pole vault at state, his best being the aforementioned 14-9. The relay took 17th in 43.16.
Parrish also runs the 100-meter dash during early-season dual meets, but from this point forward he likely won’t.
On the 4×100 relay today at the Johnson County meet, it will be junior Benian Walls getting things started for the Warriors. He’ll hand off to Matthew Wray, who’ll hand the baton to Parrish, who’ll leave the final 100 meters to senior Jamal Nyonteh.
This quartet has already lowered the school standard, blazing a 43.04 at Franklin Central earlier this spring.
Parrish, signed to participate in track and field at Huntington University, could potentially enhance his chances at a state title in the pole vault by giving up his spot in the lineup. He has no intention of doing so.
“It’s important to me for a few reasons,” Parrish said. “We won regional and went to state last year, and we have the school record. And the last reason is I feel like I earned it.
“Running the third leg, I’m getting the baton from Matthew (Wray), and the exchange is not easy because of how fast he is.”
Following county, Whiteland’s regular-season schedule is highlighted by the Mid-State Conference meet on May 2. The sectional is May 18.
“We have a lot of depth on the team in sprints, but Scott likes to run the relay, and does a great job,” Bangel said. “He’s an 11.5 guy in the 100 meters, so he’s very solid, and very consistent in his exchange.
“It’s hard to replace kids you can trust. You always know you’re going to get a solid, predictable effort.”
With a shovel or without.
IF YOU GO
Johnson County meet
Where: Whiteland HS
When: 5:30 p.m.
Admission: $6. Tickets will be sold online only at whitelandsports.com/tickets; Johnson County passes accepted.
Liver results: www.abtiming.com
