Milburn Central pole vaulter sets a higher goal

Millburn Central seventh-grader Halie Hart sets the bar high.

On Friday in East Peoria, the young pole vaulter cleared 8-feet, 11-inches to become the Class AA state champion at the seventh-grade level. She beat the field by more than six inches to become the first at the Wadsworth school to win state gold.

An Olympic aspiration may be what keeps her on the winner's podium for years to come. Just don't count on Hart resting on her laurels this summer.

"I'm not taking a break; I want to distance myself from the field and get much better," the Lindenhurst 13-year-old said. "I want to go to the Olympics, that's my goal for 2016."

Hart "had no idea" what she was getting into when Millburn track and field coach Dan Jazo suggested pole vaulting. The decision to try it was a leap of faith that continues to pay dividends.

"She picked it up very quickly," Jazo said. "She has the desire and perseverance."

Hart credits her success to the support of coaches, teammates, friends and family. They, in turn, credit a work ethic that is uncommon at such a young age.

"(Jazo) is an awesome coach and she wouldn't have been able to do this without him," said her father, Jimmy Hart. "This year, her practice schedule was pretty crazy."

By waking up three days a week at 6 a.m. for practice, forgoing recess for a midday session and joining the team after school for track practice, Hart was able to make the most out of limited pole vault pit availability at nearby Lakes High School.

For Hart, it is those few moments of kinetic perfection that make it all worthwhile.

"My favorite part is getting the bend up the pole, shooting up high in the air and falling back into the mat," she said. "I've wanted to do this as a career ever since I started track."