Former Bonham High School pole vaulter Wade Hayes took fifth place in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics on Friday, July 29 with a vault of 15' 6". 

The event was won by a member of the USA Junior Team that Hayes believes is the top under-18 pole vaulter in the world with a vault of 17' 1 1/4".  That vaulter just returned from winning another competition in Morocco.

"He had the best form I have ever seen," Wade stated in a phone interview.

This prestigious national track meet is being held in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Hayes arrived Wednesday and competed through Friday.  Joining the top Bonham vaulter of all time at the event were fellow Team Altius members, Brittany Parker from McKinney, Texas and Erin Cluiss of Forney, Texas.

Impressive athletes filled the stadium and Hayes said that, in addition to getting to compete against the best vaulters in the country, one of the many memorable moments at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics was watching a 4x400 relay team scorch the track in 3:11, a remarkable time that is several seconds faster than the Texas record for the event.