Nieto named champion

Wins LSC pole vault

When a team goes into their respective conference meet or game, they look to showcase themselves and prove that they can compete with the best while others go in with the belief that they are the best.

This was the case for Javelina Thomas Nieto who proved he is the best by becoming the 2023 Pole Vault champion for the indoor season.

Nieto cleared a height of 5.43 meters which cemented him in not only Javelinas history, but as well as national history.

This win also placed him as the fifth best on the NCAA DII all-time leader

board.
“My next goal is to win

nationals and break the school record and work towards a height of 5.55 to 5.60 so we are working hard to make that goal a reality,” Nieto said.

Hard work and determination are what helped Nieto achieve this goal and that is what he wants to use to better himself and break the record.

“Having a lot of discipline in practice and having a positive mind will get you what you want,” Nieto said.

Coach Ryan Dall was very pleased with Nieto’s performance.

“Thomas has had a great indoor season so far. He has the top height in Division II, so the goal is for him to win indoor nationals,” Coach Dall said.

Along with this, Coach Dall added that one of his goals for Nieto this season was to be “more consistent and he has done a good job of that so far this year.”

Dall has set the next goal for Nieto to win nationals again and break the school pole vault record.

Nieto’s efforts as well as others helped assist the team in finishing second place overall at the LSC indoor championships.

“The dedication and hard work of our athletes and coaching staff was evident throughout the season, and it’s great to see it pay off in such a significant way,” Assistant Track and Field Coach Ryan Petrocchi. “We’re proud of what we accomplished, and we are already looking ahead to the outdoor season with excitement and determination.”

Outdoor season has the Javelinas travelling to Abilene, Texas, for the Wes Kittley Invitational.