From fear to vaulting to Kansas

Her pole vault coach at Post Falls High swears that Mackenzie “Macky” Morris has a fear of being too high in the air.

But believe it, she can fly through the air with the best in the state.

Now, she’ll get a chance to prove it at the national level in a few weeks after qualifying for the national Junior Olympics in the pole vault.

MORRIS, A rising senior at Post Falls, just started doing the event a little over a year ago.

“At first, I’d call it a mortal fear,” said Nicole Irons, who has coached the pole vault for the last three years at Post Falls High. “I swear she’s got a fear of heights. The higher she goes, she’s more afraid of falling in the box.”

But after some convincing, Irons got Morris to at least try it in practice.

“Pole vault always scared me,” Morris said. “I was a long jumper first, but she kept wanting me to try it. One day, I just finally told her I’d give her an hour.”

Morris finished third in the regional Junior Olympic meet last Saturday at Central Valley High in Spokane Valley, finishing with a mark of 11 feet, 4 inches — a personal best by nearly a foot. The top three in the event qualified for nationals, scheduled for July 29-30 at Lawrence, Kan.

“It’s kind of unbelievable really,” said Morris of qualifying for the national meet. “But I’ve put a lot of time and effort into it. I probably would have been pretty disappointed if I didn’t do it.”

Morris finished fifth in the pole vault at the state 5A meet in Boise on May 20, clearing 10-6 — at the time, her personal best. She finished as a runner-up in the long jump as a junior with a mark of 17 feet and 11 1/2 inches.

“At state, I kind of let my nerves get the best of me,” Morris said. “At the regional meet, I just kind of pushed through and didn’t let it get the best of me.”

Morris finished fourth at the 5A Region 1 meet in the pole vault as a junior in only the fourth time competing in the event.

“She just kept vaulting and cleared 10-6 before leaving for state,” Irons said. “Every single practice, she just keeps getting better. She’s put a lot of work in and I’m really proud of her and how far she’s come.”

As for when she’s flying through the air?

“I try not to think about it,” Morris said. “I’m more focused on my technique and getting over the bar. After that, then I can freak out and fall down.”

When it comes to nationals, Irons feels that Morris will have something to prove as well.

“It’s nice for her because the girl that won at state (Sierra Kiser of Boise at 11-6) is also competing at nationals,” Irons said. “Macky will have a chance to redeem herself and kind of has a chip on her shoulder. I think she’s going to do really well.”

IN ADDITION to track and field, Morris also competes on the varsity volleyball and girls basketball teams at Post Falls.

“Most of the time, volleyball is my favorite sport,” Morris said. “Sometimes in track, there’s a moment where you get over a certain mark and you’re really excited. With basketball, and finishing third (at state) this year, that was a fun season.”

As far as what’s next after high school, Morris is still undecided.

“I’ve thought about playing volleyball or track in college,” Morris said. “I’m looking at some different schools and going to Kansas is going to be a good opportunity for that. I’m nervous about it, and will have to adjust to the surroundings and all the new stuff. It hasn’t quite hit me yet, but it’s going to be a huge experience.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.