Meet Pasco County's newest state champion

When Keari Brink missed on her first attempt to clear 11 feet in the pole vault, she wasn’t too concerned. But after failing on her second attempt, the Ridgewood senior began to worry.

“I was really getting nervous,” Brink said. As she prepared for try No. 3, Brink began to focus. Then, she got an adrenaline rush. “I was thinking about it really hard,” Brink said. “And about everything people have been telling me to do.”

Moments later, she cleared 11 feet, which gave her the Class 3A state title. Three vaulters cleared 10-6, so Brink needed that final effort to win.

“When the official shouted out that I got first, I was so excited,” Brink said. “I’ve been working really hard for this the last four years.”

Brink’s winning vault is all the more impressive when you consider this: It was a personal best by five inches and came in her first state finals appearance.

Keith Niebuhr, Times staff writer

(Times photo by Willie J. Allen Jr)