MARION — Finley Blevins is getting there.
During the field event finals of the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships May 12 in Harding Stadium, the River Valley sophomore won the pole vault title with a jump of 11 feet.
That was the same height she jumped last year in finishing second in the MOAC to then teammate Eva Moran who is now competing at Toledo.
“I put in a lot of work to get here where I am today. I really enjoy what I do, and it means a lot to me,” she said of her victory.
Last year the ramp up to championship season was all new to her. Now Blevins knows the drill as the OHSAA districts kickoff the postseason next week.
“I think I’m pretty close. My technique has improved a lot since last season. My jumps have gotten so much better,” she said. “Today, my technique was looking really good. I was just blowing through all my poles and needed to go up and the standards were at the right spot. I think I’ll be getting to where I need to be when the time comes.”
Last year she ended in seventh place at the Division II state championships. She’s gunning for a repeat trip to state over the next few weeks by navigating districts and regionals.
“I have a lot of confidence. I think once I get on the right poles at the right time I’ll be set at where I need to be,” Blevins said. “I think going there last year as a freshman and getting seventh place has fueled me to want more and do better this year as a sophomore.”
MOAC top 3 finishers from May 12
Tuesday was for field event championships, the 4×800-meter relay finals and other running prelims.
The top three finishers in finals earn All-MOAC honors.
Here are the all-league results for Marion-area athletes before Thursday’s running finals in Harding Stadium.
Girls discus: 1. Kynzie Green, Highland, 129 feet, 9 inches; 2. Madalynn Gwinner, River Valley, 111-7.
Boys discus: No one in the top three.
Girls shot put: 1. Kynzie Green, Highland, 34-10; 3. Mabri Miller, Highland, 32-8 1/2.
Boys shot put: No one in the top three.
Girls high jump: No one in the top three.
Boys high jump: 3. Hudson Howell, Highland, 6-0.
Girls pole vault: 1. Finley Blevins, River Valley, 11-0; 3. Ava Fichtner, Highland, 9-0.
Boys pole vault: 1. Jett Black, Highland, 15-0; 2. Ben Isler, River Valley, 13-6; Colt Craig, River Valley, 12-6.
Girls long jump: No one in the top three.
Boys long jump: No one in the top three.
Girls 4×800 relay: 2. River Valley 10:12.09; Highland 10:12.33.
Boys 4×800 relay: 2. Highland 8:16.12; 3. Marion Harding 8:28.34.
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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: RV’s Finley Blevins using MOAC meet to springboard her pole vaulting
Reporting by Rob McCurdy, Marion Star / Marion Star
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