Ethan Saenz had an I-just-won-the-Olympics smile after earning a bronze medal in the Class 6A pole vault Saturday afternoon at the UIL state track and field meet at Myers Stadium.
The senior from Johnson High figured his chances of earning a medal were remote. He finished third in the Region IV meet two weeks ago and needed a wild-card offer just to compete at state. Furthermore, the pole vault field included two competitors who have jumped almost 2 feet higher than Saenz.
“I felt more relief than joy (after earning a bronze),” said Saenz, who was encouraged to take up the sports in seventh grade because his father, Miguel, competed in the event at Tomball High. “All the work I put in over the years led up to this moment.”
Also on Saturday, Round Rock senior Xavier Drumgoole won state for the second straight year in the triple jump. In a tight contest, he finished at 49 feet, 2.50 inches. Senior Jaydon Shields Spring was second at 49-2.0 while senior Jamitrius Jessie of Cypress Park third at 49-1.50.