To end their historic season, senior pole vaulters Tyler Hrbek, Seth Kricheff, and Jona Kim impressed by finishing first, third, and ninth respectively in the State Meet of Champions. This effort wraps up a dominant run in which Hrbek and Kricheff set the two-man pole vault state relay record for New Jersey.

Coming into this season, the group had high hopes. After all, last season, Kricheff won the Meet of Champions as a junior. Kim said, “We trained together a lot over the summer and into the fall for the season.”

However, throughout the season, injuries plagued both Hrbek and Kricheff. At the start of the year, Hrbek injured an ankle that prevented him from competing at the League Championship meet. Later on, Kricheff dealt with a back injury but was still able to compete.

Nevertheless, the group was able to exceed expectations. Coming into the State Meet of Champions at the Bennett Center in Toms River, the boys had several accomplishments already under their belt. At the League Championship meet, Kricheff and Kim stepped up in Hrbek’s absence and comfortably finished first and second respectively. At the County Championship meet and State Sectional Championship meet, the boys were the top three finishers. At the State Group Championship meet, Hrbek and Kricheff finished first and second while Kim took fourth. Hrbek said, “We have probably the best group of vaulters for guys in the state.”

According to Hrbek, this competitiveness drives all three to do their best. In fact, he credits his teammates for pushing him. He said, “I don’t think any of us would be at our PRs without the others.”

Meanwhile, Kricheff appreciates the eye and advice the others can provide. He said, “Sometimes they’ll see things that the coaches don’t see.”

As the group puts their sights on the upcoming outdoor track season, all three have interest in continuing to compete in college. However, in the present, all three have solidified their names in record books for years to come.