By Gary Van Cleave
Special to Great Bend Tribune
ELLINWOOD - Class 2A’s top pole vaulter didn’t disappoint in a recent track meet at Hill City.
Ellinwood High senior Cason Merritt toppled Davis Reser's 49-year school record (13-0) when he vaulted 13-feet-1. He posted a video of his record- breaking leap on social media which got the attention of another Kansas great.
“His vault is looking nice,” former Dighton Hornet and Emporia State Hornet Max Neeley, who cleared 16-3 last week to finish second in the Open Division of the KU Relays, said. “He’s got a nice top arm drive in his vault.”
“Well, a big thing I remember is last year all he talked about was how bad he wanted that record,” sprinter Dawson Sunderland said. “At the end of the season he said that the record was going to be his next year and he made that come true. I believe he’s one of the hardest-working guys I know and when he wants something he goes and gets it no matter what it takes.”
Once he was the last vaulter left in the competition, the official asked Merritt what height he wanted to go to.
“I said 13-1 knowing this was my shot to beat the record,” Merritt said. “I was extremely nervous and as I looked to my left I noticed my whole team had come out of the team tent to support me. I took one big breath, I then began my run down the runway and when doing so, I count every left step out loud to make everything the exact same everytime.”
Then his pole bent as he ascended skyward.
“Once I left the ground, I knew my plant was good and it was in my ability to clear this bar, after getting over it I was immediately celebrating in the air before I even landed on the mat,” Merritt said. “I then went and celebrated with my teammates.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t there to witness it. I was over warming up for my race,” said Sunderland, who runs the 100, 200, 4x1 and 4x4 relays. “All of a sudden I heard these cheers. I knew he was pole vaulting at the time so I jogged over and found out what happened and congratulated him.”
A record that had stood since 1976 when America celebrated its Bicentennial birthday.
“It means so much to me since in previous years I have always struggled especially early in the season,” Merritt said. “To have the top vault this early on and have it by seven inches has been one of many big accomplishments of mine.”
Not bad for someone whose first successful vault was 7-feet his freshman year. He ultimately recorded a personal-best 8-6 vault that year.
“My sophomore year I reached out for more help from some private coaches,” he said. “I was able to achieve a pr of 10-1 which placed fifth place at regionals and only the top four go to state.”
He cleared 11-6 at regionals his junior year but he finished fifth, missing state.
Now he owns the top mark in 2A.
“I do know how much work he has put in and the amount of dedication he put towards this, and that he definitely deserves the record,” Sunderland said. “He's a great teammate and always supports me and his other teammates during our events. He’s also very coachable and helpful to his teammates. I usually watch him and the other guys pole vault before my races and he is always taking tips from coaches and giving tips to his teammates when they need it.”
“My best advice as of now I would give is to just keep working to get stronger, faster, and get as many reps as he can. While also focusing on specific points in his vault that he wants to work on,” Neeley said. “I’d say a good point to focus on is takeoff. Having a high top arm and good bottom arm at take off. I think it will make the rest of the vault and especially getting inverted, way easier.”
Merritt’s journey, coach Jeff Zook said, to this record has been anything but ordinary.
“Cason has shown remarkable dedication to the pole vault, attending specialized training camps during the summer months and continuing to vault and compete through the winter season in indoor meets,” Zook said. “His tireless effort has paid dividends as he consistently pushes himself to new heights.”
“The most difficult part of vaulting is having the mentality to not get discouraged by leaving the ground and to be able to put yourself in uncomfortable situations while in the air,” Merritt said.
Merritt hopes to continue his vaulting journey in college. He said he’s been talking to a few jucos.
“It would mean so much to me to be able to continue to do something that I’ve worked so hard for and something that I truly love doing for at least two more years,” Merritt said.
In addition to his training, Merritt’s passion for the sport has made him a standout leader in the Ellinwood track program, Zook noted.
“Teammates often look to him for guidance, as his work ethic and focus serve as an inspiration for others to push their limits,” Zook said. “Merritt's impact on the team was apparent during his record attempt, as teammates surrounded the runway, hoping to see his dream realized. The record-breaking attempt was a beautiful vault with plenty of room to spare, sending Merritt and the crown into a frenzied celebration before his back even touched the mat.”
Merritt’s pre-vault ritual begins with a simple breathing exercise.
“I take two big breaths, then take my right foot back and forward bringing it to my left foot twice before running down the runway,” he said.
Ultimately a vault that’s a rush like none other.
“It’s pure joy and relief knowing that you only get three tries for each bar,” Merritt said.
“I would like to leave the legacy at Ellinwood that I was a leader,” he continued. “Someone that could show others that hard work pays off and you reap the benefits of your efforts.”
