Bonham senior Wade Hayes left them something for them to remember him by in Austin...his name on the Class 3A State Championship Pole Vault Trophy.
Bonham's last state track and field championship came in 1989 when Rob Wiggins won the high jump title.
Four vaulters had cleared 15' 6' at the state meet Friday, before Hayes reached deep inside for a little extra and got over the bar at 15' 9" for the title. An exhuberant Bonham head track coach Larry McFarlin said by phone from Austin that Hayes almost cleared 16 feet on his final high school vault.
Wade recently signed to compete next year with the nationally-recognized UTA track program.
There were some tough days along the way, including a regional meet with miserable weather, but Hayes was determined to qualify for state and keep a promise to a friend. Wade eventually placed second in regionals and advanced to state. It was going to take more than a little wind and rain to stop the vaulter wearing a T-shirt with Justin Owen's name across the back.
That T-shirt probably made the trip to Austin, too, and now it can go in a special place...near a state championship trophy.
