NORTH MANCHESTER - After sitting out last year's track season because of a pulled hip flexor, David Bazzoni was happy just to compete this season. Now he has advanced to the state competition in the pole vault, surprising almost everyone.

"I pulled my hip flexor in the first meet last year and was out the rest of the season," said Bazzoni. "It feels good to compete."

Bazzoni started pole vaulting just last year but spent his freshman year rehabilitating his hip flexor in hopes of returning to competition this season.

"I stretched and used therapy bands and tried to rest it," said Bazzoni. "But because it was in my leg, it was hard to lay off it. I tried to do plant drills to keep in shape.

"Then last summer I started working and jumping a little bit. Now I'm back to a regular routine."

"We were worried because hip flexor injuries recur fairly frequently," said Manchester coach Ned Bowman. "I knew if he could stay healthy he would do well."

Now Bazzoni's daily routine consists of warming up by running two laps and stretching. Then he focuses on specific mechanics like rock-backs.

"Then I do whatever the coach tells me to do," said Bazzoni. "It varies from day to day, so I do what he says to do."

Two to three times a week Bazzoni travels to Northrop High School in Fort Wayne to train with Rick Rogers, the coach who helped Bobby Shank set the state record in the pole vault. Shank vaulted 15-6 to set the state mark.

"I have a little bit of a disadvantage," said Bazzoni. "The kids in Fort Wayne start vaulting in sixth grade when they're young. I didn't start until I was a freshman so they have a little more experience than I do."

Bazzoni hopes to get experience Friday as he competes in the state track meet, but he hopes things go more smoothly than last week's regional at Kokomo.

While attempting a pole vault in Kokomo, Bazzoni's pole shattered into four pieces. Luckily, Bazzoni landed in the pit and was not injured.

"I snapped that pole in four pieces," said Bazzoni. "I think I may have set a record for breaking a pole in to pieces. That was probably one of the most exciting parts of the night."

Bazzoni will travel to Indianapolis for the state track meet where he will compete against 37 other vaulters. The pole vault competition will begin at 3 p.m.

"I just want to go down there and jump my best," said Bazzoni.

"He has a great work ethic," said Bowman. "He has a desire to do well, and he has great focus. David had the ability to vault well and hopefully he will have a personal record and place well at state." [[In-content Ad]]