CHERRY TWP — Stephen Hagg’s story starts like most American folk tales.

Trying something for the first time, Hagg left a lasting impression.

During his sophomore year, Hagg went out for track for the first time and thought throwing the javelin would be cool. So he picked it up and threw it farther than everyone else at practice except for Kyle Armagost, who holds the Moniteau school record.

The difference between this story and folk tales is this really happened.

With the Moniteau senior’s track career, everything seems to snap into place.

During his first meet this season, Hagg qualified for the District 9 meet in all four of his events (pole vault, javelin, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles).

“That was pretty incredible,” Moniteau track coach Matt Stebbins said. “He’s a kid who shows up early and always leaves late.”

Leaving late is a necessity. Hagg has a lot of things to work on.

“I mainly practice pole vaulting and spend about 10 minutes hurdling,” Hagg said. “I don’t even spend that much time on the javelin. The other ones came naturally.”

Pole vaulting was always Hagg’s favorite.

He said he’s leaning toward attending Penn State Behrend next season to participating in the event.

Hagg start doing track his sophomore year at the assistance of Warriors volunteer assistant track coach Mark Kosick.

From ages 5 to 11, Hagg had been a gymnast and stayed limber from doing other activities.

“Coach Kosick came and talked to me and thought I would be good at pole vaulting,” Hagg said. “I really do love this sport.”

Kosick heard about Hagg’s gymnastics background from the football coaches.

“He does backflips during practice in football pads, he must be really athletics,” Kosick said. “It didn’t take too much convincing. He’s a really competitive kid.”

Hagg’s best vault of 13-0 feet is tied for the best in Butler County.

He’s in the top five in the county in his other three events.

During the winter he had a career-best vault of 14-0 and hopes to try and challenge that during the outdoor season. Having a new pole has him confident he can be competitive for a state bid.

Before the Warriors’ participated in the Union Invitational Friday, Hagg took a practice run with the old pole Thursday.

“It was a nice vault,” Hagg said. “I think it gives me a lot of confidence.”

Kosick believes getting a pole that is about six inches bigger will help.

“On the pole he has right now he can get clear to the top of it,” Kosick said. “He’s had some really big jumps.”

Finding confidence will be important for Hagg, who was disappointed with how he did at districts. He cleared 11-6, missing a state bid by nearly two feet.

“Last year, I was used to running all my other events all year long. That kept me warmed up for pole vaults, I wouldn’t jump until everyone else was done,” Hagg said. “ There weren’t many jumpers that could go that high. At districts, I was sitting around all day. I wasn’t ready.”

Hagg’s hoping to change that this season. That way he can write a perfect ending for his story.

“I plan on making it to states and see what happens there,” Hagg said.