UMATILLA Joseph High School junior Lucas Staigle opened this track-and-field season with his best pole vault ever. Staigle cleared the bar  at 12 feet, the best mark by far March 18 at the Umatilla Icebreaker. Conlan Stewart of Condon-Wheeler High was second at eight feet and six inches. Staigle set a new personal record.

I just followed through with all my practice, and the practice from last year, Staigle said. All of that has helped.

Josephs young team got its feet wet at the Icebreaker and managed several strong performances. Sophomore Casey Hayes took third place in the pole vault. He cleared the bar at eight feet. Junior Trevor Lewis was third in the 200-meter sprint. He also completed the 400 in his fastest time ever, 55.24 seconds. That was good enough for fourth place. Junior Anthony Smallen took fourth place in discus, his throw sailing over 108 feet and 11 inches.

Several freshmen debuted. Wyatt Warnock ran the 100-meter dash and threw javelin. Ben Smallen ran the sprint and threw shot put. Matt Staigle raced a lap and threw javelin. Chris Serven competed in throwing events.

Meanwhile, junior Rebecca Cummins raced in the girls 100 and threw javelin. She ran the sprint in 15.34 seconds. Freshman Felicity Gross competed in three events. She beat Cummins in the 100, and then raced the 200 and competed in high jump.

Next, Joseph will compete April 1 at the Carnival of Speed at McLoughlin High in Milton-Freewater.