John Ellingson sets the bar high (OR)

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http://www.eastvalleynews.com/appeal/article.cfm?i=7894

Pole vaulter sets the bar high


By Timm Collins

John Ellingson, left, gets some last minute advice from older brother Kevin at the 2006 OSAA 2A State Track and Field Championship.

John Ellingson sets junior-class record in pole vault

BY TIMM COLLINS
Appeal Tribune
August 2

In the world of competitive track and field, the pole vault can be boiled down to a quest for a limit – a search for the highest mark an athlete can obtain.

On Thursday, John Ellingson of Mount Angel reached another milestone by setting a new 2A pole vault record for a high school junior at the Willamette Strider Meet in Oregon City.

Ellingson cleared the bar at 14 foot 9 inches, adding an inch to the old record set in 1983 by Mike Thornton of Colton. The mark places the Kennedy High School student No. 5 all-time by an Oregon athlete in the 2A classification.

“I knew I had the record when I was between the bar and mat on the way down,â€Â