The senior, in her first year of competition, wins the 2A event.

By Beth Hudson
Of The Morning Call
May 27, 2006

| Saucon Valley senior Jacque Meissner isn't exactly an overnight success, but she's close.

A year ago, she had never competed in the pole vault — and never dreamed the event would become such an important part of her life. On Friday, Meissner won a state championship.

''It's just amazing,'' she said. ''There aren't enough words — I'm thankful, I'm excited. I'm very eager to get to Penn State. They have an excellent pole vault coach as well.'' Meissner, a future Nittany Lion, cleared 11-0 to earn the Class 2A title on the opening day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. All things considered, it was a spectacular result for someone who first tried the event only 10 months ago.

A former Parkette gymnast, Meissner went to the Vertical Assault Club in Bath and took to vaulting quite quickly. After setting Colonial League and District 11 2A records earlier this season, she beat out silver medalist Kimberly Preston of Reynolds (10-9) and bronze medalist Kerry McDermott of Bethlehem Catholic (10-9) at states.

''I didn't even think I'd be here now when I started in July,'' Meissner said. ''I'm just overwhelmed, I think. I definitely wouldn't be here without my mom and my coach, Mike [Lawryk of Vertical Assault].''

Believe it or not, though, that's not all.