Ashley Lauchner (LA) 11-0

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Lauchner flies to first in Lady Spartan Invitational
Comeaux star outduels LHS' Barousse
Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

Comeaux's Ashley Lauchner is eager to go higher, but she's happy where she is at the moment.
Lauchner won the pole vault at Wednesday's Lady Spartan Invitational with a height of 11 feet, garnering the only victory for the hosts in the meet at Lafayette High School.

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"It's good," Lauchner said of the 11-foot mark, "but it's frustrating, too. I was over at 11-3, but my elbow hit the bar. But, next time. There's always a next time."

Lauchner also reached 11-0 at last year's LHSAA State Meet as a sophomore, topped only by the 11-10 of Dominican's Katelyn Rodrigue in that competition. This year, she's ready to do more.
"I'm looking at 12 or 12-6 this year," Lauchner said. "I have some bigger poles being made. There are a lot of adjustments you need to make when you go to a bigger pole - move your hand grip up and move your run back.

"The new pole will be thicker, for more spring."

Clearly from her demeanor during the competition, in which she edged Lafayette High freshman Kathryn Barousse, Lauchner was enjoying the day.

"It's my favorite thing to do," Lauchner said. "I can't help it. It's fun to fly."

Barousse is beginning to get that feeling after posting a personal-best 10-6 in second place.

Her father, LHS football coach Mark Barousse, was a successful vaulter. So was Lions' girls' coach Ron Baillargeon, so she's bolstered by her surroundings.

"They agree on a lot of things," Barousse said. "It's just double advice."

Barousse, who also ran scratch leg on LHS's winning 4x200 relay and placed third in the 800 meters, is gradually honing her vaulting craft.

"I'm working on turning it up and waiting," Barousse said. "I've been doing lots of short stuff, to get fast. I have to wait for my jump. Right now, I fall out."