Boys track and field: Iraan's Holmes takes second in Class 1A pole vault

AUSTIN Considering the first experience he had at the UIL Class 1A State Track and Field Championships a year ago, Shane Holmes had reason to smile Friday morning.

Then again, Holmes was striving for a little more than a 14-foot performance in the boys pole vault, even if it did result in a second-place finish and silver medal.

Holland sophomore Blair Severson captured the title at 14-3.

"I'm happy I got a medal," Holmes said. "That overall was one of my goals, to come here and get a medal. But as far as heights go, I was kind of disappointed about that. It's a different day but I still jumped the same (14-0) as last year. It is a better place and I got to walk away with a medal, so I'm happy about that."

Holmes' 14-foot showing last year got him fourth even though he had entered with a better performance.

This year, he qualified as a regional runner-up off a 14-foot performance and was striving to improve in Austin.

What Holmes did do was take care of business throughout the competition, clearing 12-0, 13-0 and 13-6 on his first attempts while many of the other vaulters struggled. Only four vaulters got through at 13-6 - Holmes, Severson, Sudan's Charleson Steinbock and Albany's Marcus Nabors.

Holmes then stayed in the lead by making 14-0 on his first try and was assured of at least the silver when both Steinbock and Nabors went out. Holmes had to wait through 17 other attempts while waiting for his 14-0 try after clearing 13-6.

"You just have to settle down and focus," said Holmes, who plans to compete collegiately at Angelo State University in the decathlon."I don't like sitting there."

The competition changed at 14-3 when Holmes missed his first attempt while Severson cleared.

Holmes then opted to shoot for 14-6 and missed both of his remaining tries, giving Severson the gold. Severson passed at 14-6 and then missed three tries at 15-0. 

"He had a good day," Iraan vault coach Josh Marler said. "He just kind of got in between poles and that's the name of the game. One was too little and the other one was a little too big and that's part of the game. When you get in between, it's hard to be consistent. He didn't have the day he wanted, but he's a great kid."

This season, the difference for Holmes is he still has another event left the run - the 1,600-meter relay, which will close out the Class 1A meet Saturday afternoon.

Holmes runs the second leg on the relay, which also includes Jaime Ibarra and Zak Owen. Iraan head coach Coby Owen said the other leg will either be David Himel or Dakota Green.

"I'm more nervous about the relay than this," Holmes said after vaulting. "This is individual and if I lose, it's my disappointment. On the relay, you've got three teammates counting on you."