JF's Jauch wins 4A State pole vault with record leap

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) - Gracie Jauch of Jefferson Forest was the favorite heading into Wednesday's Group 4A state pole vault competition at Lynchburg College.

And the junior did not disappoint. Down to her third and final attempt, Jauch cleared the bar at 12 feet, 6 inches to clinch the state championship.

Celia Agee of Louisa County had earlier gone over at 12 feet in less tries, so Jauch had to make 12-6 to win.

She did, but Jauch didn't stop there. She then cleared 12 feet, 10 inches to tie the state meet record.

They lifted the bar to 13 feet, and with an anxious Dad pacing the track, Jauch sailed over to set a new state meet record, the highest jump by a junior in girls state history.

She couldn't clear 13-3. JF's Grace Jauch the 4A state champion with a personal record jump of 13 feet.

Gracie Jauch, GROUP 4A STATE CHAMPION (MEET RECORD JUMP OF 13 FEET), said "I'm just super excited to finally get it. It's a bar that I've been wanting, really since my freshman year honestly. And I've been training really hard doing all my pole vault drills, working out and getting stronger, and I just couldn't believe it when I cleared it."