New Kent’s Kowal repeats as 3A state indoor pole vault champ

New Kent senior Griffin Kowal successfully defended his state pole vault title by winning the event and breaking the meet record during the 2017 3A state indoor track championships held Friday and Saturday at Roanoke College.

Kowal cleared 14 feet, 6 inches to better the old state indoor record, set in 2015, by a half-inch. The winning vault was his first of the day, having passed at lower heights. He attempted to extend his record, but missed on three attempts at 15-3. He now heads to outdoor track where he also holds the state 3A title from a year ago.

Kowal’s performance provided most of New Kent’s 14 team points, which placed the Trojans in 14th place overall. Blacksburg won the meet with 97.

Teammate Dominique Akrie-Williams placed seventh in the 300-meter run in 37.2. Will Tolley cleared 10-6 for eighth place in pole vault while Kyle Coles took eighth in triple jump with a leap of 41-9.25.

On the girls’ side, New Kent’s Raven Harris covered 34-2.5 in triple jump to account for the Lady Trojans’ lone point of the meet.