Moniteau’s Grossman places first in pole vault at District 9 track and field championships
BROOKVILLE — Not long ago, Ashton Grossman had a dislike for the pole vault, but times have certainly changed.
Moniteau’s junior reached 13 feet, six inches Friday to win the District 9 Class 2A boys title at Brookville High School, beating out Cranberry’s Dane Wenner.
“When I was in fifth and sixth grade, my family was talking about pole vaulting all the time and I hated it,” he said. “But when my sister (Kendall) got to college, she was vaulting at Slippery Rock University. I started watching meets and really got into it.”
Ashton’s freshman season on the Warriors’ track and field team was derailed by injury, but he capped his sophomore campaign by placing 8th at the district meet with a height of 11 feet.
“After that meet ended, my dad (Matt) and I got to work to help me improve,” he said.
Matt Grossman serves as his son’s coach.
“Ashton put a lot of work in during the indoor season,” Matt said. “There’s been a lot of weight and speed training and he’s buying into it all.”
Ashton has no trouble accepting tips from his father. Matt Grossman’s guidance aided Kendall’s decorated high school career.
“I love it. We’ll go home tonight and talk about vaulting and do it again tomorrow,” said Ashton. “I can reflect on things with him.”
Due to inclement weather, the pole vault was pushed back more than three hours Friday, but the wait was well worth it for Ashton.
“It’s awesome to win a district title,” he said. “I’ve been working so hard for this.”
Ashton will now prepare to compete at the state meet, scheduled Friday and Saturday at Shippensburg University. His personal-best vault is 13-8, achieved at the Butler Invitational last month.
Also earning a medal in Friday’s competition were Karns City brothers Landon Wilson (3rd, 13 feet) and Alex Wilson (5th, 12 feet).
