A Decatur High School student just broke nearly 40 years of Decatur track history in a special way.
Senior Parker Williams soared to new heights with a record-breaking 15'-2" jump on the pole vault. What makes this feat even more incredible is that Parker beat his own coach's record set in 1989 during a regional meet. Cary Bohn (DHS '89), currently a volunteer pole vault coach at the high school, was at the District meet on April 2 and got to watch as his previous record of 14'10" was shattered.
"I couldn’t be happier," said Bohn. " It’s even better than setting the record."
Bohn added that he has high hopes for the district's current athletes as they continue to compete.
Williams is ranked No. 1 in the state for 4A. Sophomore Matthew Cannon is ranked No. 2. Both respectively gold and silver at the April 2 District meet. Additionally, Sophomore Heaton Noble earned No. 4 while setting his personal record of 12’. Mylie Dobson got first in girls’ varsity pole vault tying her personal record of 10’.
"We're not done yet," he continued. Today, Bohn runs a free pole vault club in Wise County. It's a passion born out his own experience as a student.
"Nearly 37 years ago, at the regional track meet, I set the DHS school record that has stood the test of time," Bohn wrote in a personal Facebook post. "Then, I went to state at UT stadium and in front of friends and family, did not make a bar. I was so frustrated … angry really. I had no coach on the field (my brother was my coach), the wrong poles and it haunted me - for decades - because I felt I was capable of more."
The club, opened in 2021, became a way to funnel his passion into purpose.
"I bought a pit, 50 poles, built a runway, and opened the Wise County Pole Vault Club," he wrote. "That drive to make sure that never happens to anyone else made it all worth it. "