Many high school pole vaulters get an earlier start practicing approaches and midair body turns than Chloe Sanders did.
But, as the Whiteland senior explains, track and field’s most daring event was a perfect fit — even if it took her until her teen years to find it.
“I was actually a competitive dancer. I was 14 when I started, but there were about 10 years of gymnastics before that,” Sanders said. “There are a lot of similarities in gymnastics and pole vault.
“I’m used to being upside-down in the air. There’s a little more risk in pole vault, but I’m at the point now where I don’t think about it.”
Sanders broke onto the scene as a sophomore by picking up fourth place at the Franklin sectional, clearing 9 feet, 6 inches. Last May she soared 10 feet at the same venue to advance to regional.
It’s there that Sanders made it over 11 feet to shatter the old school record of 10-3 set by Alex Kirk a few years earlier. She went on to tie for 20th at state.
A 3.8 grade-point average student, Sanders will be attending Indiana University in August, but she wouldn’t mind being on campus the first day of June for a second consecutive try at the state finals at the Hoosiers’ Robert C. Haugh Complex.
“Chloe is a great athlete, fairly tall at about 5-8 and one of the strongest girls in the school,” Warriors coach Brandon Bangel said. “And she picks up on stuff quicker than most kids.
“We certainly think she’s capable of being on the (awards) podium this season and maybe even in the top five. We certainly haven’t put a ceiling on this.”
No matter how Sanders’ season pans out, it’s likely her final time being a track and field athlete. She plans to focus on her academics at IU as a physical therapy major.
Sanders, who is motivated by the prospect of vaulting 12 feet or more this season, knows she’ll miss pole vaulting when it’s time to step away.
“Honestly, I think it’s the difficulty of pole vaulting that I like. The adrenaline you have before the jump,” she said.
The Warriors begin their outdoor season Monday with a three-way home meet that includes Franklin and Perry Meridian.
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Center Grove Trojans
Coach: Wes Dodson
Last year: County and Franklin Sectional champion; third at Franklin Regional, tied for third in MIC
Who’s back: Olivia Brooks, Deannah Dillworth, Haley Goines, Tori Martin, Jenna Walker and Ashley Wheat, seniors; Katie Edel, Delsi Fraser, Nina Fujii and Julia Riley, juniors; Julia Falcone, Gabrielle Harrell and Kiyah Yeast, sophomores
Who’s gone: Rachel Chan, Valerie Clark, Kylie Falcone, Olivia Rassel
Key newcomers: Taylor Jarsinski and Brooke Lee, freshmen
Outlook: The return of Goines and Yeast gives the Trojans plenty of big-meet point potential across a wide range of events. Led by Martin, Center Grove remains solid in the distance events, while Edel and Walker made regional in the pole vault and shot put, respectively.
Dodson says: “We seem to have somebody good in every event, and that’s really exciting. Our 2012 team won the conference and the regional, and I feel like this team might rival that team.”
Edinburgh Lancers
Coach: Ashley Myers
Last year: Tenth at Franklin Sectional
Who’s back: Katelyn Bivens and Emily Davis, seniors; Taylor Tatlock, junior; Lili Ervin, sophomore
Who’s gone: Blythe Carman
Key newcomer: Trinity Tatlock, freshman
Outlook: The elder Tatlock sister is expected to do throws as well as the 400, while it remains unclear which events Trinity will take part in when the season begins.
Myers says: “I’m mainly looking for improvement and determination each meet. We’ve had a lot of dedication in preseason practices. I’ve been getting whole efforts from everyone.”
Franklin Grizzly Cubs
Coach: Ray Lane
Last year: second in Mid-State Conference, fourth in county; tied for third at Franklin Sectional, 12th at Franklin Regional
Who’s back: Emma Beavins, Kloie Doublin, Haydn Driver and Emma Treibic, seniors; Chloe Selking, Rachel Simmons and Lia Vawter, juniors; Maggie Auger, Ellie Lammert and Mikayla Zoellner, sophomores
Who’s gone: Ally Parramore and Carly Sandrock
Key newcomers: Alyssa Lipsius, sophomore; Cami Kelsay, Lillian Lacy and Lauren Sandrock, freshmen
Outlook: Doublin, a starter since ninth grade, looks toward her final season in sprints, while Treibic looks to excel in the 800 and 1,600. Big things are expected from freshmen Lacy and Kelsay in distance races and sprints, respectively. Lacy also high jumps, while Kelsay will be in the long jump.
Lane says: “We have an interesting mix where we have a lot of experience, but we have a lot of youth also. I think we’re going to be solid all around, and a lot of it depends on how our youth steps up.”
Greenwood Woodmen
Coach: Blaine Williams
Last year: Third in county and Mid-State Conference; fifth at Franklin Sectional, 10th at Franklin Regional
Who’s back: Hanna Anderson and Olivia Weston, seniors; Olivia Allen, Emily Bonser, Janae Johnson and McKenzie McClarney, juniors; Julia Arruda and Mallory Watson, sophomores
Who’s gone: Hayley Martin, Taylor Neely, Krista Robinson, Autumn Smith
Key newcomers: Riley Weber, sophomore; Saylor Emberton, Siena Halfaker and Ava Leininger, freshmen
Outlook: Four-year starter Anderson looks to add to her impressive list of accomplishments, while Weston, a two-time state finalist in the high jump, is also back for the Woodmen.
Williams says: “We have only three seniors, so we’re counting on them for their leadership and for our juniors to continue to perform well. Julia and Mallory are both good sophomores, and hopefully some of the freshmen step up.”
Greenwood Christian Cougars
Coach: Joe Slater
Who’s back: Anna Simons, senior; Anna Subris, junior
Who’s gone: Allie Dalton
Outlook: The Cougars are short on numbers but long on experience with Simons and Subris. Simons is expected to run the 400, while Subris could be in both the 800 and 1,600.
Slater says: “The girls work great together and are great friends, competitors and two of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached. I’m really looking forward to watching their success.”
Indian Creek Braves
Coach: Jake Taft
Last year: Ninth at Franklin Sectional
Who’s back: Auna Holbert, Olivia Parsley and Morgan Timmons, seniors; Shae Biddle, junior
Who’s gone: Isabel Dawson, Hunter Fields
Key newcomers: Lacie Tekulve, senior; Tesa Alexander, sophomore; Tori Iaria and Luci Woodrum, freshmen
Outlook: New coach Jake Taft is excited about better numbers, as 21 girls are out for track. Biddle looks to move up after placing eighth at sectional in the 200 and seventh in the 400 last season.
Taft says: “Shae Biddle is our fastest sprinter, but she also advanced to the semistate in cross country, so she can do a little bit of everything. Lacie Tekulve does shot put and discus, so we’re looking for her to make improvements throughout the season.”
Whiteland Warriors
Coach: Brandon Bangel
Last year: Second in county and fourth in Mid-State Conference; tied for third at Franklin Sectional, sixth at Franklin Regional
Who’s back: Michaela Adams, Chloe Sanders and Sadie Welch, seniors; Reagan Emberton, junior; Heidi Brewer, Skylar Halvorson and Taylor Leytham, sophomores
Who’s gone: Kaley Brewer, Anika Lumpkin and Kerrigan Miller
Key newcomers: Gabi Allen, Bella Jackson and Claire Overfelt, freshmen
Outlook: A talented group of freshman combined with proven upperclassmen give the Warriors a nice blend of point possibilities, particularly in the field events.
Bangel says: “We’re really strong in the field events with Reagan, Michaela, Chloe and a freshman, Bella Jackson. She cleared 5-6 1/2 in the high jump at an indoor meet and is proving to be more than we expected at this point.”
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