Justin Northwest superstar pole vaulter Desiree Freier set the national and indoor records earlier this year, but she's aiming even higher at this weekend's UIL state meet.
Freier's brother and coach, Devin Rodriguez, said she is aiming for a vault as high as 14-9 1/4, which would not only shatter all of her previous records, but also give her a qualifying mark for the U.S. Outdoor Championships this summer in Sacramento.
"That's where the pros jump," Rodriguez said, "and we're trying to get her to that level. That's a big deal if she can get there now, and she's only going to get bigger and stronger in college."
Freier, a 5-foot senior and Arkansas signee, broke the UIL state record last year with a vault of 13-9 on the way to a second-straight gold medal. She then set the national indoor and outdoor pole vaulting records this year with vaults of 14-2 3/4 and 14-3 1/4, respectively.
Freier has cleared 14 feet four times during this outdoor season, first at the Jesuit-Sheaner Relays in March. She did it again at the Texas Relays, where she set her national record, and continued to vault 14 feet at the district and regional meets.
If Freier can pull off a vault of 14-9 1/4 this weekend, it would set new state, national and American Junior records. The American Junior record is currently held by Natalie Willer with a vault of 14-4 1/2 in 2009.