Margaretta's Biehl places sixth in D-III pole vault

DAYTON — The bar to clear as a Margaretta pole vaulter is a high one, literally. Alayna Biehl has worked hard and succeeded plenty in creating her own piece of Polar Bears history. "It's tough at times," coach Brian Stimmel said, referring to his two daughters. "Before Kassidie, our girls high school record was 8-6. Then to be behind Kassidie and Kenna… The 11-8 (Biehl) jumped at regionals would be most girls high school records. She works hard, and she knows she's stuck behind them." The junior Biehl's latest accomplishment: sixth place in Division III at the state track & field meet, good for a podium spot and All-Ohio honors. "It definitely feels really great," Biehl said. "I didn't think I'd do that going into this." Biehl cleared 11 feet, 6 inches on her first attempt Thursday — the height that secured her final position. "It's having confidence," Biehl said. "Even when I do miss a bar, it's just keeping my confidence there. Coach Stimmel really helps with that." Biehl began pole vaulting in seventh grade, although that was the COVID year and consisted of only a few practices before things were shut down. She's kept with the sport since then, which has meant repping the same uniform that brought five combined state pole vault championships to Margaretta between Stimmel sisters Kassidie and Kenna. "I've got a legacy to live up to," Biehl said. "I love it." Biehl progressed into a state qualifier last spring, and she ended up one spot short of placement. This time around, with 11-6 awaiting, Biehl knew she'd soon have to depart for her leadoff relay legs. She wanted to do everything she could to clear before the chaos began. "I had a lot of adrenaline going into that one, because I knew I had to go run," Biehl said. "I knew I had to make that bar." Biehl's 11-6 was her smoothest leap of the night. "Things started to come together on that jump," coach Stimmel said. "It just worked that time." After that, Biehl led off on the 4x200 and 4x100 relays. The 4x2 made it to Friday's final, while the 4x1 came just short. It meant a long gap and a lot of exertion before Biehl tried to clear a new personal best, and she couldn't convert on any of her three attempts. "There's not a whole lot I can do," Biehl said. "I just tried my best." Biehl, who is also a two-time state qualifier in swimming, has proven capable of being a standout both in and out of the water for the Polar Bears. "She works really hard in the offseason," coach Stimmel said. "She's got to balance her time between swimming and this. But she works hard and is a good kid to work with." Thursday's result, of course, will also provide a strong push toward next year, to see what sixth place can become in 12 months — from last year to this, Biehl has added about a foot of height. "I get very nervous, so I try not to have expectations for myself," Biehl said. "I just go in and hope for the best." No matter what happens next, Biehl has already cleared plenty of bars, and now she's an All-Ohioan. "I'm just proud of the effort she puts in," coach Stimmel said. "She's a good kid."