Cooper Schaefbauer is off to a flying start this season, and has put his name among the state's track leaders with his effort at the Ipswich Tiger Relays last Saturday.
The Herreid-Selby Area 400-meter relay team, of which he is the lead runner, finished first in a time of 45.05 seconds (the best in Class B this season), and his height of 13 feet in the pole vault won that event (also the best in Class B this spring). In addition, the Wolverines' 800-meter relay team logged a time of 1:34.74 (currently third best in the state), with Cooper leading off that relay as well. For his efforts, Schaefbauer is the American News Athlete of the Week.
Achieving the new personal best in the pole vault the the highlight of the weekend for Schaefbauer, whose previous best was 11 feet last year in Gettysburg.
"It felt awesome," Schaefbauer said. "My previous best was 11, so to get 13 was pretty thrilling."
He made an attempt at bettering the mark, but literally missed by a nose.
"They moved the height to 13-6, and on my way down, I hit the bar off with my nose," he said. "I had it cleared, but forgot to throw my head back."
Schaefbauer, 16, has been competing in pole vault since seventh grade, and placed eighth at last year's state meet. With the sloppy conditions during the first part of April, it was hard for schools to get any outdoor practice.
"It's pretty frustrating, but we make do," Schaefbauer said of the early weeks of April. "We did a lot of friendly competition, which helped us push each other harder."
The two relay teams are made up of the same four runners: Cooper Schaefbauer, Logan Schaefbauer, Austin Iverson and Nick Larson. The Wolverines were solid in those relays at last year's state meet, claiming second in the 400 and fifth in the 800.
Herreid-Selby Area coach Rick Quaschnick noted that Schaefbauer has numerous qualities that help make him a great asset to the Wolverines' track program.
"Cooper is an athlete who has so much natural ability and is a good kid," said Quaschnick. "Right now, he is excelling in pole vault and he's a returning relay runner from last year. He is keeping up with and surpassing last year's pace."
Quaschnick said that even though Schaefbauer has had little chance to practice outdoors, he is thriving nonetheless.
"The field is wet and we do not even have our pole vault equipment out," Quaschnick said.
Schaefbauer has been able to practice indoors, however, coming to Aberdeen where Central High School coach Kent Hanson has helped him.
"He taught me better techniques and has been helpful in letting us use their inside facilities," Schaefbauer said.
Family has played a role in his track abilities, as his father pole-vaulted at Herreid in the late 1980s. His older sister also competed in track and field, as well.
"(My dad) encouraged me into it, and I watched my sister and it looked like fun," Schaefbauer said.
Along with the chance to compete, Schaefbauer enjoys the camaraderie and social aspects of the sport.
"We're all kind of the same age group and hand out on weekends," Schaefbauer said. "(I like) being able to hang out with friends and compete."
Schaefbauer is looking to get back to the state meet and improve on what he accomplished there last season. With the momentum he has built so far this season, he should be able to do that.
"I feel I am way ahead of last year and going to get better," Schaefbauer said. "I've gotten a lot stronger since last year, and got a new pole, which makes me able to get a lot higher."
Personal
- Family: Parents, David and Heidi; brother Logan (14), sisters Micah (13) and Rachel (19).
- Favorite athlete: Derrick Rose.
- Favorite team: Minnesota Vikings.
- Other sports: Football, basketball.
- Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, playing softball.
- Toughest opponent: Cole Geditz of Gettysburg. "He has a lot of skill and has been kind of my top competition."
- Favorite event: "Pole vault, because of the thrill of getting in the air, the challenge and the technique that goes with it."
- Favorite athletic memory: "Clearing 13 feet for the first time."