One of the coolest high-school kids I've had a chance to talk to over the last year has been Krystal Lang, a senior at Wayne Central High School in Ontario, Wayne County. Like many athletes her age, she's quiet and doesn't say too much, but she's also very astute when it comes to looking at the big picture. On Friday, Krystal traveled to Kingston to compete in the pole vault in the state track championships. It was her second trip to the state outdoor meet and, counting her trips to the state indoor chamapionships, her fourth such venture in a row. And she definitely saved the best for last — at Kingston on Friday, she cleared 10 feet, 3 inches, the best mark of her career and good enough for ninth in the state. While she was certainly glad to post such an effort, she was also keenly aware that it had special meaning — it was her final high-school competition. "I was happy I did my best at the last meet of my high-school career," she told me. "I'm glad I got to states and accomplished all my goals." With so many kids competing in track — as well as every other sport — across Section V, it's easy to lose track of an indivdual athlete like Krystal. But she, like so many of her peers, means everything to her school, team and coaches. "She was obviously one of the best pole vaulters in Section V history," said Wayne girls track coach Riley Wheaton, who added that it'll be heard to see Krystal go. "Every dual meet, you could count on her winning, That was five guaranteed points." Krystal will attend SUNY Brockport in the fall. She hopes to play soccer, but when it comes to track — here's that astuteness again — she wants to wait and see if she can balance vaulting with soccer and schoolwork. "If I can do it, I might continue it," she said.

 

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