Local Pole Vaulters Flying High

Fighting scorching temperatures with other young adults from across the nation, Katharina Chaloupka capped a first place in her division for the 15-16 year old girls bracket in Nationals Pole Vault staged in College Station Saturday, July 29th. The MAC Vault Summer National Championship included participants from Massachusetts to Mississippi and was invitation-only based on prior jumps and experiences. Katharina had previously achieved two personal records at the Port Aransas Beach Vault competition in June. This Championship marks the “official” pole vault season ending for the 2022-23 year. The 39+ young ladies in Chaloupka’s category and 16 participants staged to compete against each other had an opportunity to meet and work with those that share their passion and love of pole vault as Katharina with her Frio Vault Club group coached by Jeff Brandes. Katharina is a junior at Weimar ISD and the daughter of David and Cathy Chaloupka and granddaughter to Irene Handley of Hallettsville. Pictured above is Katharina accepting her medal. Also at the MAC Vault Summer National Championship, Fayetteville’s Lawson Fritsch placed second with a personal best clearance of 14-feet, 6-inches in the 15/16-year-old age division. Fritsch is the defending 1A state champion in the pole vault. He is pictured above on the left with his silver medal.