Story #1: Lander Vaults to Victory–Again

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Being a defending state pole vault champion wasn’t always smooth sailing for Haven Lander. After winning the Class 4 state title in 2016, Lander entered 2017 knowing she’d have to compete in Class 5 as a senior. She turned in a successful season and captured a lot of victories, but she could never get higher than 11’6″–even though she’d cleared 12’0″ in 2016.

But that didn’t matter at the state track meet in Jefferson City. Lander turned in her best vault of the year at precisely the moment she needed it, clearing 11’9” to set up her second consecutive state championship. (See her winning vault below.)

“That was completely unexpected,” she said minutes after her victory. “Last year, Elleigh and I were very close. We both had a really good chance. This year, I expected everyone to do a lot better than me because I had been stuck at 11’6” all year.”

She ended her time at Republic as a two-time state champ and the school record holder, wrapping up one of the best track and field careers in school history. You voted her senior accomplishments as the top story of 2016-17.

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