Hunter White, a Potosi High School sophomore, recently broke the school record in the pole vault with a vault of 11 feet. This achievement is a result of his hard work, determination, and the support of his family and coaches. When asked why he joined track, he replied, “I initially joined the track team to stay in shape for football and meet new friends.” His natural talent quickly became obvious, though. In his freshman year, he shattered the school’s pole vault record with a jump of 10 feet, and also played a vital role in the 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams, even helping the latter qualify for sectionals.
His coaches have praised his work ethic and coachability, qualities that have fueled his growth as an athlete. One of Hunter’s coaches, Mr. Serres, says that Hunter is getting better day by day. Serres says Hunter is a hard worker and very coachable.
Hunter’s journey in pole vaulting began humbly. At an indoor meet in Platteville, WI, he cleared 7 feet on his first attempt at the event. “I would say that this is my favorite memory in track so far,” said Hunter. Since then, he has steadily improved through practice by working on increasing his speed. When asked if there is a downside to going out for track, he replied, “The only thing that I don’t like is I can’t lift as much as I want because I would be too sore.”
This season, Hunter surpassed his previous pole vault record, raising the bar by setting a new school record. Before events, Hunter emphasizes warming up and building up a strong mindset to ensure peak performance. Inspired by his parents, Heather and Mike White, he continues to push boundaries to make them proud. His success highlights his own skills and hard work, as well as the supportive environment at Potosi High School, where athletes are encouraged to thrive.