Sandusky vaults to decathlon title

CABOT — Elite pole vaulters often enter the state high school decathlon simply for a final opportunity to try to soar higher. Bentonville senior Ethan Sandusky certainly flipped the script. Not only did Sandusky soar higher, he was a surprise winner of the 47th annual event Thursday afternoon at Cabot High School’s Panther Stadium. Providing Bentonville with its first decathlon victory, Sandusky, a first-time entrant, finished with 7,486 points to top Fayetteville junior Stephen Soerens, who finished second with 7,272 points. Completing the top 10 were Conway junior Jamarcus Harmon (6,914 points), Bentonville senior Tyler Trudo (6,770), Fayetteville sophomore Bradley Culp (6,764), Magnet Cove senior Ernest Van Horn (6,758), Rogers junior Anthony Bazz (6,211), Hot Springs Lakeside senior Darren Evans (6,160), Union Christian junior Nathan Weir (6,082) and Eureka Springs junior Dustin Morrell (5,872). Sandusky, an Arkansas State signee, began the day in eighth place before vaulting - literally - into the lead in his specialty, the pole vault. Sandusky cleared a personal-best 16 feet, 3 inches, which also shattered the previous decathlon record of 15-0, set in 2004 by Aaron Puckett of Lake Hamilton. “The only reason why I came was to pole vault,” the 5-9, 160-pound Sandusky said. “I love to pole vault, so that’s just the only reason.” Sandusky’s performance, particularly in the pole vault, was sweet redemption after a gut-wrenching turn of events in the Class 7A meet April 29 at Fayetteville. Sandusky, who had cleared 16-2 to apparently win the meet, was on the runway attempting an overall record 16-8 1 /4 when he was disqualified for a uniform violation (he didn’t wear shorts over his tights). “It was a crusher,” Sandusky said. “It bummed me out pretty bad, because that’s the only event I do. The only reason why I do track is for pole vault. After getting [disqualified] out of my onlyevent, like I couldn’t even make up for it.” Maybe not in the Meet of Champs, which brings together state champions from all classes, but Sandusky’s record-breaking performance Thursday was worth 1,495 points and the catalyst for his victory. “It feels good to get what I missed out on,” Sandusky said. Sandusky then earned 820 points in the triple jump, the penultimate event, with a best of 40-3, which occurred on his third and final attempt. The jump gave Sandusky a 278-point cushion over Soerens entering the final event, the 1,600 meters. Bentonville Coach Mike Power said the strategy was simple: Don’t let Soerens get away. Soerens, completing in the same flight, needed to beat Sandusky by approximately 30 seconds to win the title. Sandusky remained just behind Soerens for the first three laps before Soerens surged to a larger advantage with about 300 meters remaining. Sandusky countered and finished in 5 minutes, 36.33 seconds (436 points), well within the half-minute championship window. Soerens earned 500 points after finishing in 5:29.94. “Stephen really kicked hard in the last 200 and Ethan just gave every ounce of energy,” said Power, a former All-America distance runner at Arkansas. “That’s the kind of kid he is. He just fights the whole way.” Power said he believed Sandusky had a chance to win the title after reviewing his first-day performances and having the ultimate ace in the hole with the pole vault. Soerens, for example, only scored 370 points after clearing 10-0. “That pole vault, that’s Ethan’s domain,” Power said. “I don’t know what ASU is going to do with him. But numero uno, he’s a pole vaulter. If they get him to do anything else, good for them because I think he’ll be good at anything he does.” Sandusky began Thursday by running the 110 hurdles in 18.07 (643 points) and threw the discus 97-0 (470).

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Bentonville High School Athletics

SANDUSKY VAULTS TO DECATHLON TITLE

ROBERT YATES

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | 5/14/2015

PHOTO CREDIT: Staton Breidenthal