Aledo's Hardison wins national pole vault title

Aledo High School's pole vault history is renowned, with the program sending vaulters to the state track meet on almost an annual basis.

Now they can add a national champion to their resume'. 

While not officially on a high school team just set, Aledo coaches are no doubt smiling at what lies ahead for freshmen Grayson Hardison and Brooke Johnston. The two members of the VaultCats pole vault club recently competed in the prestigious MAC Vault Academy Summer National Championships meet near College Station.

Hardison won a national title -- the first in club history -- and Johnston placed fourth, both competing in the 13-14 age group for boys and girls.

Hardison cleared 13 feet, 6 inches, a career best. Johnston topped 9-6 to place fourth.

"Both have a legitimate chance to be on varsity next year as freshmen," said VaultCats coach John Rhodes, who is also the pole vault coach for Aledo High School.

The duo qualified for the national meet by reaching qualifying marks in previous meets throughout the summer. At nationals, they faced not only the best from throughout Texas, but others from outside the state as well.

The MAC Vault Academy is an elite pole vault training center and facility located in Navasota. Established in 2014 in memory of Coach Joe McFarling, it features specialized indoor and outdoor training areas. Brad McFarling opened the facility to honor his father.

"Brad is an old friend. He loves the pole vault and has built a great facility with three indoor and three outdoor runways," Rhodes said.

Most of the Aledo High School program's top vaulters in the past few years have competed at this summer championship, Rhodes said.

Hardison's previous best vault was 12-6 for McAnally Middle School in March. At nationals he cleared 13 feet on his first attempt and 13-6 on his third try. He went out on his three attempts at 14-0.

Johnston, also from McAnally, tied her career-best vault. She also cleared 9-6 in April of this past middle school season. "I'm just excited to have two young vaulters looking to carry on our pole vault tradition," Rhodes said.