Maston Wallace sets the bar high in the pole vault (Texas)

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Wallace sets the bar high in the pole vault



Maston Wallace
Freshman Maston Wallace enjoys testing his limits, so it is no surprise he is drawn to extreme sports.

"If I wasn't pole vaulting, I'd probably be doing X-games or something similar. I like the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) a lot. That would be my goal (to be an ultimate fighter)," he said with a laugh.

Fortunately for the Texas men's track and field team, Wallace is pole vaulting. He broke the record at the 2007 Nike Indoor National Championships by clearing 17-5 and set an all-time personal best, establishing himself as the top high school pole vaulter in the nation.

"It was just great feeling. I set the Nike indoor national record and went for the overall national indoor record, but didn't get it," Wallace said.

Two weeks ago, at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., the freshman pole vaulter took second place, clearing 16-10.75 with the highest clearance of his collegiate career.

"We saw more consistency with Maston in the pole vault. He's ready to move to bigger poles and go 17-6," Men's track and field head coach Bubba Thornton said about the day's performance.

Wallace began pole vaulting as a freshman at Houston Clear Brook High School where he won a Texas UIL state championship. His father, Britt, competed for Texas A&M University and has helped him along the way.

"When I was younger, my dad always tried to get me to pole vault because (that was the event) he competed in high school and college. So, when ninth grade came around he got me into it," Wallace said. "He's played a big role, always coaching me along and keeping me going."

Even though his father's alma mater is a rival, Wallace chose UT because he felt it had more to offer. He was drawn to the Longhorns by the allure of Thornton, who is currently the head coach for the U.S. men's track and field team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"(Coach Thornton) one of those influences that you don't want to let down, so you're always trying your best. He's kind of like a father figure for the team," the Houston native said. "He's really laid back; he's a good guy.
But whenever its time to kick it in gear, he'll let you know that you need to step it up."

Though Wallace is just a freshman, he has already set high goals for the future.

"I want to break the indoor and outdoor NCAA records, and hopefully go to the 2012 Olympics," he said.
And for Wallace, clearing high goals is what he does best.