West Lafayette's Wyatt Curl raises bar on expectations
WEST LAFAYETTE − What Wyatt Curl is capable of and the results he was having were not aligned much of this season.
A year ago, Curl was so focused on constantly trying to one up himself that when it came time for the pole vault state finals, he underperformed, finishing ninth.
As a West Lafayette senior, Curl's season has been more trial and error with the mindset to get everything figured out so that another opportunity at the state meet wouldn't end in disappointment.
That mentality two weeks ago cost him a Hoosier Conference championship, but so be it.
Curl has experimented with different poles and techniques, but now it's the postseason and there can be no more setbacks.
Last Thursday, Curl, already having won the individual sectional title in pole vault, knew this was the opportunity where potential could meet performance.
On a perfect night with no wind at Gordon Straley Field, Curl had the bar raised to 15 feet, 9 1/4 inches. Clearing it would erase former West Side vaulter Malachi Baker's name from atop the school record book.
Curl lined up, raised his pole and took off on a sprint, placed his pole into the pit and got enough height, but clipped the bar.
Even though he'd missed, he knew then what he had to do on the next attempt.
And he did, launching himself above the bar, raising his arms into the air and getting swarmed by his brother, who was helping with the pole vault standards.
"He is just amazing when it comes to (self belief). He always keeps his head up," West Lafayette pole vault coach Kennedy Merrell said. "He's always so positive. He has the best work ethic I've seen out of a kid. He takes corrections like a champ, honestly.
"When the athlete has that confidence, that is when all the bars come, especially in pole vault."
If Curl ever lacked confidence, it came during the regular season this year because he was capable of so much more.
Rather than sulk, he maintained his focus was on the end of the season.
"I tried to make it a little different than last year. Last year I was improving so well and once I got to state, I just fell off," Curl said. "It's been rough all year, but I've been working all year to get on bigger poles so I can do what I can later in the year when it gets to bigger meets."
But, if Curl is being honest, he reverted to last season a little bit during the sectional.
He knew that was the night to break Baker's school record, something he's wanted since Curl first picked up a pole, perhaps not ironically at a Purdue Area Track Club summer camp where Baker was teaching him the ins and outs of pole vaulting.
Curl's parents still have a photo of that moment.
Now Curl owns the school mark, a relief in some ways.
His approach last week was simple. Clear 14 feet to qualify for the regional. But Frankfort's Aidan Hudspith was pushing Curl, vaulting 15 feet. That elevated Curl's level just enough to provide the boost to finish strong.
Now Curl not only knows, but has shown what he's capable of.
Or has he?
"I think I can get 16 feet," Curl said with a smile. "Hopefully at the state meet."
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette's Wyatt Curl raises bar on expectations
