Ribera places second in pole vault, clinches regional berth
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MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School track team has one regional qualifier.
Junior Shiloh Ribera finished second in the boys pole vault thanks to clearing 12 feet Wednesday morning at the District 25-4A Meet.
“I had an attitude,” he said. “On Sunday, something struck me. I’m going to to higher than anyone has gone.”
IN PHOTO: Marble Falls junior pole vaulter Shiloh Ribera is on his way to the Class 4A Region IV Track Meet. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
Ribera made it look easy as he ran down the runway and cleared the height.
He is the latest of a line of pole vaulters to advance to the regional meet.
Since 2007, Mustangs have had done so three times – former standouts Tanner Smith in 2007 and Ross Bingham in 2008 and 2009.
Pole vaulting coach Stephen Sanders said he was proud of his group’s work and noted Ribera did several things leading up to the meet to put himself in a position to be successful.
“Pole vaulting is almost 80 percent psychological,” Sanders said. “It’s all about mechanics.”
He credited Ribera for listening the tactics and focusing.
“Going more vertical, working his turn on top and increasing our drive speed into the box,” the coach said.
The junior said he used the days leading up to the meet to work on his abs, stretching and any other exercises he thought might help him.
“I watched about three hours worth of pole vaulting on YouTube,” he said. “No distractions, no cares about anything other than pole vaulting. And confidence to do my best and have enough drive to make it on the pole.”
Sanders said practices have been focused, especially since goals are set for the vaulters each session.
Ribera also had a longer pole, which helped, the coach said.
“I expect 13 feet from him at regionals,” the coach said. “He’s going to work really hard to get 13 at regionals.”
The Class 4A Region IV Meet is May 3-4 in San Antonio.