POLE VAULT GIRLS TAKE FIRST AND SECOND IN STATES

Third-year pole vaulters, Kayla Burd and Mallorie Parsons, both juniors at Delmarva Christian High School, battled it out against fellow contenders during the State Championship Meet Friday at Caesar Rodney High School. Parsons jumped into the DCHS history books as she realized a height of 9’6” bringing home a First-Place Division II State Championship medal.

“The training I’ve received from Coach Keevan has definitely played a vital role in what I’ve been able to accomplish today,” said Parsons as she reveled in setting a new personal record. “Although I’ve vaulted 10’ in practice, it is Coach’s encouragement and perseverance that has brought me to this level in an official event.”

Also competing was 5’1” Kayla Burd. Although small in stature, Burd proved herself to be a mighty force to be reckoned as she vaulted 9’ and became the Second-Place Division II State Champion.

“God receives all the glory,” said Burd. “As I took my last turn at 9 feet, the bar lifted up, hit the post and miraculously landed back down on the post. My first thought was it was going to fall, but it didn’t. We call it the Jesus jump. It was amazing.”

DCHS Track Coach Janice Curtis witnessed the split-second drama from the sidelines. “Saving the 9’ jump was just one of the many blessings the team received this season,” Curtis said. “We were also blessed to see one of Cape’s pole vaulters cheer our girls after only knowing them a short time while practicing together. It was heartwarming.”

Curtis was referring to a partnership of sorts that Delmarva Christian High School has enjoyed with local public schools. Although DCHS does not have an outdoor pole vaulting pit, it does have the only indoor pit downstate. During the winter months or when weather prohibits outdoor training, DCHS invites other schools to use their indoor facilities. In turn, these other schools, namely Division I Sussex Tech and Cape Henlopen High School, allow DCHS athletes to practice outdoors at their schools.

The week prior to the State Meet, Coach John Keevan took his girls to Cape Henlopen High School where the new friendships were made.

With their successes at the State Championship, second-seed Parsons and third-seed Burd will compete at the DIAA Meet of Champions on Wednesday, May 19 in Dover.