A few months after being introduced to pole vault in gym class, E.L. Crossley’s Adam Freure found himself at the top of the provincial podium.

After recording victories at the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Zone 3, Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association and Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations South Regional meets, the 14-year-old Fonthill resident won the novice boys division at OFSAA in Ottawa with a jump of 3.35 metres. The leap matched his personal best.

“They set it up one day, I tried it and I really liked it. The track coach (Maryann Mergl) was there and recommended I come out and try it.”

It was love at first flight for Freure, who had previously played all sports with a focus on hockey and baseball.

“I liked it a lot that gym class. I had intended on trying it before because I had heard that Crossley had a pole vault program. It sounded really interesting,” the Grade 9 student said. “Once I tried it out in gym class, I really wanted to go out to the track practices.”

He is a fan of all aspects of the sport.

“I love flying through the air and I love the training aspect of it. When you are training for pole vault, there is always something you can improve on, if that is swinging or driving. You are always getting better.”

Some people are terrified to try pole vaulting but not Freure.

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