Kahleifeh, Willett grab state crowns
June 11th, 2010 Posted in 2009 | Comments Off
Photo by Peter W. Zubaty
J.P. Willett celebrates after getting his second-straight individual state championship in the pole vault, giving Bardstown five consecutive wins in the event. At left is Tiger sophomore Clay Donaldson, who was fifth in the event.
By PETER W. ZUBATY
LOUISVILLE — Two Bardstown seniors participated in the final track meet of their high school career Saturday, and both experienced the joy of bowing out on top.
For one, it was the realization of finally snaring that state championship after a career’s worth of always being right there in contention, but having to settle for second.
“It was great,” said Adam Kahleifeh, who drilled the rest of the field by almost four full seconds in capturing the 800-meter run after running fourth (2009) and fifth (2008) in previous years. “I just told myself I was going to go out quick the first lap and I was just going to give it all I had on the second, but I guess nobody decided to go with me. I kind of wish I’d have had some competition to get a faster time.”
For another, it was living up to heavy personal expectations and maintaining what has become a Bardstown dynasty.
“It felt good,” J.P. Willett said of winning the pole vault, his second straight in the event to extend the streak of Bardstown pole vault state champs to five. “It felt good knowing I wasn’t the one to slip up and not get the job done.”
Before Willett, Matt Case (2008) and Michael Seaman (2006-07) had captured the event for Bardstown.
“I think he kind of had some pressure on him,” Bardstown coach Tom Williams said. “Each year the pressure mounts.”
Willett said he missed his first two opening bars at 12-00, and “I was kind of feeling it after that — I was kind of torn up after that.”
But Willett, who has gotten recruiting interest from Kentucky, Western Kentucky and Mississippi, recovered nicely to clear 12-06, and keep the legacy alive.
Photo by Peter W. Zubaty
Bardstown senior Adam Kahleifeh, right, blew away the rest of the field as he comes down the stretch in the Class 1A 800-meter run. It was the senior’s first individual state title in a career that includes 10 other individual or relay state medals. At far left is Tiger sophomore Josh Ceasar, who closed to finish eighth and grab a medal in the event.
“Michael and Matt — all of us — have built pole vaulting into something people really want to do around school,” Willett said. “Before this, they’d never heard of it. I think we’ve made something out of nothing over the past five years.”
For Kahleifeh, it was about finally grabbing that elusive state title to cap off a career that has seen the University of Kentucky-bound distance runner garner four runner-up finishes among his 11 state meet medals. That, and to make up for a disappointment earlier in the day.
Photo by Forrest Berkshire/Special To The Standard
Bardstown senior J.P. Willett said he had trouble with the heat and humidity on some of his early attempts, but recovered to win his second state championship in a row.
“To be honest, it was all out of anger from my mile run; it was one of my worst miles ever,” Kahleifeh said of his third-place finish in the 1600-meter run after being projected to win it.
“That 800 — I just told myself that I need to win one race, and I just gave it all I had.”
It was rewarding for Williams to watch, especially knowing how badly Kahleifeh wanted a state title.
“The state championships in his individual events have been elusive,” Williams said. “He showed the mark of a true champion by coming back and winning the 800 in convincing fashion.”
In addition, Kahleifeh was awarded the Forcht Bank Group KHSAA Sportsmanship Award for the meet. Kahleifeh won the same award after a second-place finish at the state cross country championships in November, and Damian Edelen won the award for Bardstown at the 2009 state track meet.
Photo by Peter W. Zubaty
Things got chaotic for Bardstown during the 4×400 final baton exchange as senior Adam Kahleifeh (center) had a hard time getting a clean break for the final lap.
“I think that’s a tribute to the school, individuals, parents and everyone involved,” Williams said. “I’m real happy our kids show that kind of character.”
