Peshtigo's Rauch rises up and wins D2 pole vault title
LA CROSSE (WLUK) -- Peshtigo's Max Rauch came to the Division 2 state track and field meet with one thing on his mind -- win a state title.
However, during Friday's competition at UW-La Crosse he was down to a final jump to stay in the event or not even medal.
Rauch cleared the bar to stay in the event and then he eventually was the last competitor standing. Rauch won the state title with a vault of 14 feet, 6 inches.
"It means a ton to me," Rauch said. "I put a lot of work in the offseason going to camps. It feels amazing."
Rauch was caught in a competition where he was being pushed to just stay alive, not medal. He was OK with that.
"There were tons of people making big jumps," Rauch said. "That doesn't make me nervous, it makes me want to perform better. I just want to get to the next height.
"There were definitely nerves on my third attempt in one of my vaults. Either you make it and you move on or I don't even place."
Rauch cleared 14-9 at sectionals and stopped. He wanted to reach 15 feet at state and he had the chance but he missed in his three attempts.
Nonetheless, Rauch was pleased and is looking forward to next year.
"I'm really looking forward to next year," Rauch said. "I want to keep moving up."
Follow Doug Ritchay on Twitter @dougritchay
