RANEY RAISES THE BAR, TIES 30-YEAR OLD RECORD IN THE POLE VAULT
Meet Information
Middlesex League Block #4C
May 8, 2025
Lexington Center Track - Lexington, MA
RESULTS
LEXINGTON, MA - 30 years ago in the spring of 1995, The Minutemen's last great male pole vaulter Nick Jauvtis, cleared the bar at 13'6". In the years to come, LHS discontinued its pole vaulting program, and the event laid dormant until the 2021-2022 Indoor season when Katie Atkins (LHS '24) became the first LHS athlete to compete in the event in recent memory. However, it was not until the spring of 2023 that The Minutemen had their first group of male athletes return to the Pole Vault. Among that group was Aidan Raney, who showed an immediate knack for the event as he cleared 10'0" in his first season. Now a junior, Raney was off to a great start this winter as he cleared the bar at 4.10m (13'5.50") in late December. A tough injury derailed the rest of his season, though, and the LHS junior has been working his way back ever since. Fast-forward to Thursday, where Raney competed at his home vault pit for the first time this season, and things finally came back together. Raney missed his opening attempt at 12'6", but then soared over the bar on his second attempt. He followed it up with a clean jump over 13'0" before the bar moved up to 13'6". Once again Raney nailed it on his first attempt, which tied Jauvtis's record. With Belmont's Mitchell Woo matching Raney at each height, the bar was then raised to 14'0". After two lackluster attempts, Raney launched himself over the bar to the roar of the crowd with his third jump, but he hit the bar on the way down, and it crashed to the mat along with him. In addition to its technical difficulties, which are in a league of their own in track & field, Pole Vault is perhaps the most mentally challenging event as even an athlete's best days will always end in failure. Despite this, Raney established a new PR, tied the LHS record in the event, and with Championship Season on the horizon, is in great position to perform his best when his team needs it most.
Other Highlights from the Meet
Up Next
The Minutemen once again will compete at a pair of meets on Saturday. Lexington will hosts its first invitational meet in recent memory as The Minutemen play host for the MSTCA Metro Coaches Invitational. The meet begins at 9:30am at the Lexington Center Track. In addition, after their season debut last week, freshman Janie Conrad and sophomore Erin Ehmann will travel to White Plains, New York to compete in the 2000m Steeplechase at the Glenn D. Loucks Games. Action begins for the pair at 2:10pm.
Middlesex League Block #4C
May 8, 2025
Lexington Center Track - Lexington, MA
RESULTS
LEXINGTON, MA - 30 years ago in the spring of 1995, The Minutemen's last great male pole vaulter Nick Jauvtis, cleared the bar at 13'6". In the years to come, LHS discontinued its pole vaulting program, and the event laid dormant until the 2021-2022 Indoor season when Katie Atkins (LHS '24) became the first LHS athlete to compete in the event in recent memory. However, it was not until the spring of 2023 that The Minutemen had their first group of male athletes return to the Pole Vault. Among that group was Aidan Raney, who showed an immediate knack for the event as he cleared 10'0" in his first season. Now a junior, Raney was off to a great start this winter as he cleared the bar at 4.10m (13'5.50") in late December. A tough injury derailed the rest of his season, though, and the LHS junior has been working his way back ever since. Fast-forward to Thursday, where Raney competed at his home vault pit for the first time this season, and things finally came back together. Raney missed his opening attempt at 12'6", but then soared over the bar on his second attempt. He followed it up with a clean jump over 13'0" before the bar moved up to 13'6". Once again Raney nailed it on his first attempt, which tied Jauvtis's record. With Belmont's Mitchell Woo matching Raney at each height, the bar was then raised to 14'0". After two lackluster attempts, Raney launched himself over the bar to the roar of the crowd with his third jump, but he hit the bar on the way down, and it crashed to the mat along with him. In addition to its technical difficulties, which are in a league of their own in track & field, Pole Vault is perhaps the most mentally challenging event as even an athlete's best days will always end in failure. Despite this, Raney established a new PR, tied the LHS record in the event, and with Championship Season on the horizon, is in great position to perform his best when his team needs it most.
Other Highlights from the Meet
- Senior Caitlin Lennox (8'0") won the Girls Pole Vault; junior June Reddy cleared a personal best height of 7'6", which qualified her for the Middlesex League Championships; freshman Casey Wilkas (5'6") placed fourth.
- Along with Raney, senior Garbins Bernard (9'0") placed sixth; junior Brendan McVey (8'6") placed eighth; freshman Matteo Sanchez de Rojas (6'6") finished tied for 11th in the overall competition.
Up Next
The Minutemen once again will compete at a pair of meets on Saturday. Lexington will hosts its first invitational meet in recent memory as The Minutemen play host for the MSTCA Metro Coaches Invitational. The meet begins at 9:30am at the Lexington Center Track. In addition, after their season debut last week, freshman Janie Conrad and sophomore Erin Ehmann will travel to White Plains, New York to compete in the 2000m Steeplechase at the Glenn D. Loucks Games. Action begins for the pair at 2:10pm.