Pugh Continues to Rise in His Remarkable Ascent
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One of the HUGE surprise stars of the indoor track and field season has to be Wayne High School junior Eric Pugh. The junior pole vaulter came into the season with modest PRs of 14 feet indoors and 14' 8" outdoors. He has far eclipsed those marks time and time again this season, with his mark of 16' 3" today securing him his Ohio state title.
Showing how much confidence the young vaulter has, he entered the competition today at 14' 0" and cleared that on one attempt. He then cleared 14' 9", 15' 3", and 15' 9" all on one attempt. He then cleared 16' 3" on two attempts before bowing out at 16' 9".
Eric Pugh 2023-24 Indoor Results
| Date | Meet | Mark | Place |
| 3/1 | 16' 3" | 1st | |
| 2/17 | Akron Rubber City HS Open | 15' 6" | 1st |
| 2/4 | Finishtiming Team Championships | 16' 0" | 1st |
| 1/28 | Wittenberg HS Open #2 | 16' 8" | 1st |
| 1/21 | University of Michigan High School Invitational | 15' 5" | 2nd |
| 1/13 | Ohio Northern High School Meet | 15' 0" | 1st |
| 1/6 | Wittenberg HS Open #1 | 15' 0" | 1st |
| 12/21 | Jackets Holiday Indoor | 16' 0" | 1st |
| 12/9 | Midwest High Performance Series #1 | 15' 8" | 1st |
| 12/2 | Univ. of Findlay Dave's Running High School Series #1 | 15' 4" | 1st |
Pugh now ranks #8 all-time indoors for Ohio in the pole vault and owns the top indoor vault in Ohio since Jimmy Rhoads and Conner McClure in 2021. He also ranks as the #2 pole vaulter in his class this season and the #6 pole vaulter nationally.
2023-24 Top Boys Indoor PV Marks
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17-6.75 | 2024 | 116th Millrose Games1st F | |
| 2 | 17-6 | 2025 | ||
| 2 | 17-6 | 2024 | ||
| 4 | 17-3 | 2024 | ||
| 5 | 17-0.75 | 2026 | ||
| 6 | 16-8 | 2025 | ||
| 6 | 16-8 | 2026 | ||
| 6 | 16-8 | Chapman Family Expo3rd F |