Grapevine’s Weissmann vaults to gold, looks for more

Earning the state 5A pole vault title is only going to help Grapevine’s Peyton Weissmann launch to new heights.

Weissman, who has been jumping since seventh grade, said winning the state meet a week ago will help fuel his desire and motivation to win back-to-back titles.

As a junior, Weissman was the favorite going into the meet in Austin and he intends to keep improving upon his personal best. That top height of 16-6 was the second time Weissmann had cleared the height.

The previous school record was 16 feet, set in 2008.

Last season, Weissmann went to the state meet and finished sixth. His sophomore season-best jump was 15-6.

“By the end of the summer I want to hit a 17-foot jump,” Weissmann said, “and then hit a goal of 17-6 by the end of next year.”

The 5A state record pole vault height is 17-6.5.

Even though Weissmann admits that vaulters are a unique breed, he wants to continue jumping past his high school career.

“We’re all crazy to jump on glass poles that launch you into the air,” he said. “We’re not intended to do that.”

Even the sport has its own hassles, including lugging 16-foot poles around to every meet while other teammates are carrying all they need in their backpack. He said he routinely takes as many as six poles with him to a meet.

“When you play 18 holes of golf, you take more than one club,” he rationalized.

But Weissmann got started by happenstance. He had fully intended to throw the discus as he had seen his older brother do before him.

“One of the guys told me the coach wanted to see me vault,” Weissmann said. “I did it one time and he got me into a meet.”

There wasn’t any hesitation to take the risk, Weissmann said.

“I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie. It was just really fun and I enjoyed the rush it gave me.”

That rush followed Weissmann to Austin where he said the venue on the UT campus is a perfect combination of tailwinds and spectator stands nearby. Plus the adrenalines of competing in the year’s biggest meet.

Weissmann attempted to clear 16’9” but missed on his three attempts.

That was just for personal boasting, as the second-place vaulter cleared only 15-6.

This summer, Weissmann will continue competing in USATF and AAU events to stay sharp and stay visible to college coaches and scouts.

Until the next varsity season, when he isn’t jumping – which will be only two or three times a week – Weissmann said he’ll do sprint work and body-weight conditioning exercises.

“I certainly want to win back-to-back state titles,” he said.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Grapevine’s Weissmann vaults to gold, looks for more."