PREP 2A BOY TRACK: Cedarcrest’s Flynn sets pole vault records

Published 11:18 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2008

DUVALL — For Ned Flynn, the emotional breakthrough came a week earlier.

His accomplishments Wednesday just added icing to the cake.

The Cedarcrest High School junior broke both the Class 2A Northwest District 1 and the Cedarcrest school records in the pole vault by clearing 14 feet, 6 inches Wednesday on day one of the boys district meet.

But while the records set Wednesday continued Flynn’s dramatic progression in the event, it was his performance at the Cascade Conference meet the previous week that Flynn felt strongest about.

At that meet Flynn set personal and school bests by vaulting 14-3. That broke the previous school record of 14 feet set by Kyle Hamilton, who as a senior in December of 2006 died tragically in a snowmobile accident. The bench next to the pole vault pit at Cedarcrest High School is dedicated to Hamilton’s memory.

“When I broke the original school record last week, that was a lot more emotional,” Flynn said.

“I attribute it all to my dad (Richard), who is my coach,” Flynn added about his success. “And for everyone who’s helped me, especially Kyle’s family, who have been there.”

Flynn’s performance was tops among Cascade Conference competitors on day one of the meet as just three individuals from the conference qualified for state in the four events contested. Lakewood’s Spence Hulslander took second in the pole vault by clearing 13-0, and South Whidbey’s Andy Bennett finished second in the long jump at 21-2. The top four in each event advanced to state.

Sehome, bolstered by having three of the top four in the discus, leads the team competition with 41.5 points. South Whidbey leads Cascade Conference teams, sitting fourth with 26 points. The meet concludes Friday.

With an eerie fog descended over the pole vault pit for much of the competition, Flynn was flawless. Using superior technique, Flynn blew the competition away. He didn’t miss a single attempt until he tried for the magic 15-foot mark, a height he just missed clearing.

And he made 14-6, a height he’d never cleared before, look easy.

“It’s the superman feeling that very, very, very few get,” Flynn said about what it felt like going over 14-6. “Especially in high school.

“It was easier than I thought it was going to be.

“It was not what I expected,” Flynn said.

At Cedarcrest High School

Team scores (through four events) — Sehome 41.5, Burlington-Edison 33.5, Bellingham 31.5, South Whidbey 26, Blaine 26, Lakewood 24, Cedarcrest 20, Anacortes 20, Archbishop Murphy 7.5, Sultan 3, Mount Baker 1.

1,600 — McHenry (Sehome) 4:19.53; Long jump — Kassa (Anacortes) 21-10.75; Discus — Lohse (Sehome) 171-9; Pole vault — Flynn (Cedarcrest) 14-6.