PB TRACK ATHLETE

senior from franklin has already made history … and the best is still to come… this is paulo setting the national high school record of 17′ 11″ in albuquerque earlier this season… we caught up with him and his coach… he’s a state champion pole vaultor… Kelly Hady, Franklin Head Coach: “As coach to have a kid like that on your team, it’s just a coach’s dream do have someone like that.” an he’s got big time expectations. Paulo Benavides, Franklin Pole Vaulter: “Ultimate goal: go t the Olympic Games and get close to jumping six meters, 19-8” paulo benavides is one of the best pole vaulters in the country. and it’s no surprise. it’s in his blood. Benavides: “m dad inspires me a lot. It’s just what he accomplished as a pole vaulter. My mom was a runner and she accomplished a lot. Everything they did inspires me to do well. My grandpa runs for the Netherlands. He used to, back in the day.” b the time he was a sophomore, benavides managed to place third at the state meets… last year, he vaulted past everyone and took home the state crown … he’s parlayed his talents into a scholarship with kansas. Hady: “It’s so technical. It’s really a tough event. It’s such a hard thing to master and he’s finally getting it. It’s really a fun progression to get through at his level, right now. It is one of those events that’s technical and i think that’s why he loves it.” Benavides: “The adrenaline of it, the technicalities. It’s such a difficult event. There’s so much to it. There’s always something to work on and it makes it pretty exciting.” benavides continues to work. tirelessly perfecting his craft. with that work, comes high expectations. Benavides: “i think i have a good chance to repeat as state champion.” benavidez is getting ready for the district meet… that will take place wednesday thursday and friday of next week at the sac … former utep