Max Manson joined the 17-foot club several weeks ago.
Eyes On State
Having a former professional pole vaulter as a father has easily set the bar high for Max, though it's a standard he's inched closer to this year. And while Max has clearly gone above his competition this year, he's chasing his father's records - while his primary goal is to win a state title, his desire doesn't end there, he wants a state record.
32 years ago Pat set the state meet record at 17-3. This year his son will attempt to take down this mark.
And the bar doesn't end there. Pat also holds the Colorado record of 17-7.5, a record of which Max is eyeing for his senior year. That record has stood since 1986.
"I feel really good about going 17-3," Max said. "Hopefully if the weather holds out and it's a good day, I'll break my dad's state record."
While Max enters the state meet clearly in his physical prime, Mia enters with a bit of a late-season hiccup.
She had been quietly struggling through an ankle injury over the past month, and recently found out that she had sustained a stress injury to a non-weight-bearing bone in her ankle. The injury does change her state plans a bit, but not much - she will compete in the pole vault, but not the two other events she had qualified for state in.
After consulting with two separate doctors, she was cleared to pole vault. The hiccup sidelined her from vaulting over the past week, though she's hopeful that she'll be ready to go for state.
'Have Fun And Jump High'
Despite the setback, Mia is confident everything will fall into place come state. And she doesn't have to look far for encouragement.
"My dad is always really good at giving advice when I'm over-thinking," Mia explained. "He always reminds to have fun and jump high."
Simplifying the pursuit has clearly worked for the Mia and Max, as they exude a clear passion for the sport.
"There's something appealing and thrilling about catapulting yourself 16 or 17 feet into the air," Max explained. "It's a crazy feeling."
Mia agreed with Max's sentiments.
"It's really different from every other sport," she said. "You have to be really athletic, you have to be really fast and really strong. It's just a really fun event."
One thing is for sure, it's that Max and Mia will be enjoying their time flying through the air at the state championships Thursday. And if they have it their way, they'll both be bringing home state titles - that'll be sure to add to their smiles.