Decatur senior pole vaulter Parker Williams claimed the gold medal with a school record clearance of 15-06 at the 4A state championships Thursday at the University of Texas at Austin’s Mike A. Myers Stadium. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
In his first and final state meet, a change in poles on his final clearance propelled Decatur senior Parker Williams to the top podium spot.
Decatur senior Parker Williams stands atop the podium after receiving the gold medal in boys pole vault at the 4A state championships Thursday in Austin. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Attempting to climb over the bar set at 15-06, Williams traded his trusted pole for a brand-new one that arrived in his possession just last week.
“I was so opposed to getting on the new poles, and I didn’t even realize that I brought them with me,” Williams said. “When it came down to it and the smaller one just wasn’t enough, [the bigger pole] was just sitting there — there was a glow around it and everything. I just went for it, and it was absolutely perfect.”
The pole switch proved to be a defining decision in the competition. Williams used a new 15-foot, 185-pound stick to soar in the air to set a new personal record — and break the Eagles’ school record for the second time this season — and claim the gold medal at the 4A state championships Thursday at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin.
“I don’t even have words — I never knew if this would ever become a reality,” Williams said. “It’s amazing, and I couldn’t have done without my team and my teammate [Matthew Cannon]. Just the fact that we’re both competing at state as Decatur pole vaulters is so cool to me. I couldn’t ask for anything better than this for my senior year.”
Williams’ height resets the school record height of 15-02 that he previously set at this season’s District 7-4A championships April 2 at Springtown High School’s Porcupine Stadium.
The Decatur senior cleared 15-06 on his first attempt, while Wimberley senior Charlie Hanle cleared the same height on his third try. Williams and Hanle both missed on all three attempts at 15-09, giving Williams the state title based on attempts. Sulphur Springs senior Ty Bebee took bronze with a height of 15-00.
“I thought regionals was by far the toughest competition at a meet, [but] state was even better,” Williams said. “It was competitive throughout the entire contest — the best of the best make it to state. The competition really pushed me to get that PR, and I don’t think it would have been possible at any other venue.”
Williams is hoping his state championship performance will draw some collegiate interest and allow him to compete at the next level.
“I’m not committed yet, but I’m looking,” he said. “I want to vault in college, and I want to chase higher bars as long as I can — it’s the most fun thing to me. I’m looking at Division I, which I think would be ideal for me. I want to vault against the best athletes because that’s what pushes me.”
Decatur sophomore Matthew Cannon finished seventh in his debut at the 4A state championships Thursday at the University of Texas at Austin’s Mike A. Myers Stadium. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Decatur coach DeMarques Jones praised Williams for bringing home the gold, saying the senior called his shot on his way into the state meet.
“I’m so proud of Parker,” Jones said. “We talked on the way up here, and he said he 15-06 was going to be his mark today. He went out and executed his plan, and I’m proud with how everything went for him today.”
Williams wasn’t the only Eagle on the runway at the state meet, as sophomore Matthew Cannon made his debut in Austin with a seventh-place finish, clearing 14-00.
“I was a little disappointed, but. I don’t feel bad because it’s still an accomplishment to even get here,” Cannon said. “I thought the competition was way up there — the difference between regionals and state is crazy.”
With two years left in his high school career, Cannon wants to claim the program record for his own.
“I think it’s very possible for me to get back to state both years,” he said. “It’s also possible for me to get the school record. I just need to keep climbing higher bars.”
Jones believes Cannon will be a contender for a state spot in his junior and senior campaigns.
“I think Matthew did a great job,” Jones said. “He’s been pretty consistent all year long,
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and he came out today and put his best effort and best foot forward. I’m excited about his future, and hopefully I’ll be down here with him again in the next two years.
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