Gonzalez wins CIF title in pole vault

DOWNEY - Downey High School senior Knight Andrew Gonzalez is the reigning 2012 C.I.F. Division I champion in the pole vault.Gonzalez recently competed in and won the pole vault at the C.I.F. Championships held at Mt. SAC on Saturday, May 19. Gonzalez narrowly defeated his Eleanor Roosevelt High School counterpart by clearing 14'6 in a jump off. Gonzalez had previously cleared 14'9 but was in a virtual tie after scratches (failed attempts). Gonzalez saw his competitor fail at 14'6 and knew if he cleared that same height, he would win. On his eleventh jump of the day and fighting fatigue, Andrew narrowly cleared the bar and claimed his title. Fellow Downey Viking Lenin Dolmos placed 5th at C.I.F. in the high jump where he cleared 6'5. Dolmos also qualified for the Master's meet but did not place. Gonzalez did not fair as well at the Master's meet either, held on Friday, May 25, at Cerritos College. Gonzalez placed 8th at Master's (top 5 qualify) and did not qualify for the State meet. The Master's meet champion was Peter Chapman of Vista Murrieta with a vault of 15'9. Andrew's best vault this season came at the S.G.V.L Finals where he cleared 14'10. Gonzalez has been pole vaulting since his freshman year where he placed 5th at league finals. Gonzalez currently has a 3.5 G.P.A. and will attempt to walk-on at CSUN (Cal State Northridge) in the Fall.

********** Published: May 31, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 07