Breckenridge Texan

Breckenridge High School students, staff and community members gathered in front of the school at noon on Thursday, May 10, to give Braden Campbell, a junior, a send-off to compete in pole vault jump at the State Championship Track Meet in Austin.

Campbell, who is scheduled to compete at 8 a.m. Friday morning at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas, is the only BHS athlete  to advance to a state competition this year. He is accompanied by BHS Pole Vault Coach Donny Funderberg.

Athletic Director Casey Hubble told the crowd that Campbell has already tied the school’s pole vault record, which is 15 feet, 6 inches set by Brian Knight in 1992, and he will attempt to break that when he competes in Austin.

Opening heights for the competition will start at 13 feet and will increase in 6-inch increments until four jumpers are left and then they will be increase by 4-inch increments, according to the UIL website. There are nine competitors in the event.

Cutline, top photo: BISD Athletic Director Casey Hubble speaks to BHS students who gathered for a send-off for Braden Campbell, who left for Austin on Thursday to compete in the pole vault competition at the state championship in Austin on Friday. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge High School Junior Braden Campbell, right, gets a send-off just after noon Thursday as he prepares to travel to Austin for the state pole vault championship. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)