May 28, 2011|By Mark Wogenrich, OF THE MORNING CALL

As he stood near the pole vault pit, nervous and exhausted, Eric Hunter was forced to root against a friend. It wasn't a comfortable moment, but the result brought gold for Hunter.

The Northampton senior won the Class 3A pole vault at the PIAA Track & Field Championships on Saturday after friend and competitor Chris Williams of Strath Haven missed his final attempt at 15 feet, 6 inches. Both had cleared 15 feet, but since Hunter did so with fewer misses, he claimed the title.

"I was really worried watching, but you hate to hope somebody misses," Hunter said. "It's not the way you want to win, but I'm still pretty happy."

Hunter's state meet began with a No. 6 seed, primarily because awful weather at the District 11 championships left him satisfied at clearing 14-9 to advance. Hunter entered Saturday's competition at 13-6 and was the first vaulter to clear 15 feet before Williams did so on his last attempt. When the bar was raised to 15-6, Hunter was gassed.

"I was so tired," he said. "My steps were off, and I didn't have anything left."

He had the benefit of fewer misses, though. Williams nearly cleared 15-6 on all three attempts but clipped the bar each time. The last miss drew a muted celebration from Hunter.

"He's such a great jumper," said Hunter, who is going to West Chester University. "For me, I think beginning as the sixth seed helped. I didn't have the pressure of the other guys."