New Pole Helps Lake Forest's' Carmichael To 2nd Place At State

New equipment made a big difference for pole vaulter breaking her own school record en route to a second place finish at the Class 3A State Girls' Track and Field Meet Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Senior Taylor Kirby of Normal Community West captured the state championship with a vault of 12-6. Scouts teammate Carly Schmidt finished fifth after clearing 11-9.

Carmichael has been using a 13-foot pole most of the year, but she selected one measuring 13-6 as she sought the state championship in Saturday’s finals. The equipment changed elevated her to 12-3 - her best performance in a high school meet. 

“I felt strong. I knew I could jump with the new pole,” Carmichael said. “It gave me more room to go upside down.” 

A longer pole requires a little more speed and strength to take advantage of its lift, enabling Carmichael to come within three inches of a state championship. A year ago, she placed third with a vault of 12-0. 

“My focus was on my take off and run,” Carmichael said. “If I could push the pole up I knew it would help me jump in the air.” 

Good weather was another reason Carmichael selected the longer pole. With a particularly cold spring, she feared injury if she tried the new equipment sooner. 

“It was a really nice day today. It rained a little but it was warm,” Carmichael said. “It was a good day for competition.”

Lake Forest coach Steve Clegg knew the colder weather was holding back a number of his athletes this season. 

“When it’s cold, it’s harder for your muscles to perform. It’s hard to get warmed up,” Clegg said earlier this season. “If we have good weather they’ll do better, particularly in the field events.”

Carmichael was unable to clear 12-6 on three tries. She said she felt good about her effort.

“All three were good attempts. The second was the best,” Carmichael said. “I had the technique."

Though she was fighting a virus during the week, Carmichael was pleased with her performance. She made sure she got enough rest and was in the best possible shape for Saturday’s final. 

“It felt really good. My goal was to win, but I was happy with second place,” Carmichael said. 

Kirby will compete for the University of Wisconsin next year. Carmichaelamong other schools. She may see Kirby again. 

“I’m only a junior so they can’t talk to me yet,” Carmichael said of the scores of college coaches watching the meet. “I hope they were watching.”