The high school sports season officially came to a close at the outdoor track and field state championships from June 13-14 at Webster Schroeder High School. While there were many Tompkins County athletes who took part, only one returned home a champion.
Lansing’s Ava Kobylarz captured the Class C title in the pole vault. The sophomore needed to clear 11 feet in order to come out on top in her class, doing so in just one try.
“I was so shocked,” Kobylarz said. “I was so proud of myself, and I was so happy. There was a lot going on. I found out when I was still competing, so I had to lock back in after that, but it was so exciting to know I won.”
Kobylarz was not done there. She eventually cleared 12 feet and three inches, good for third-best among all classes while setting a personal record in the process.
Kobylarz becomes the second Bobcat to win a state title this school year, joining Trent Thibault after the senior claimed the Class C cross country crown back in the fall. She also continues the growing legacy of state pole vaulting champions from Lansing, becoming the first vaulter to take home the gold since Gwen Gisler in 2019. That championship pedigree has been established at Lansing—and for many years at Ithaca College—by coach Matt Scheffler, and Kobylarz expressed her gratitude for taking her under his wing.
“It’s been wonderful,” Kobylarz said. “He’s seen my potential from the very start. When I started in seventh grade, I honestly had no clue I could make it this far in the first place. He’s always been there for me and supported me and always made me feel like I can do it.”
Kobylarz’s first encounter with pole vaulting was during gym class, to which Scheffler suggested she try out the event during the modified season. After two years of vaulting just for fun, she started to take things seriously once she reached the varsity level last year where she cleared 10 feet and three inches. To improve by a whole two feet in only a one-year span is remarkable, something that boils down to an improved sense of confidence.
“I’ve definitely learned how to trust myself in the pole,” Kobylarz said. “Before I was kind of scared, but this season I really trusted myself, and that’s what made me go so high this season.”
The state title capped off a sensational sophomore season for Kobylarz. Earlier in the campaign, she was named the girls field MVP at the IAC championships after winning the pole vault, long jump, and triple jump. Kobylarz played a major role in the girls team clinching the Large School title along with the boys team. She gave her perspective on what makes Lansing consistently one of the strongest track programs in the area.
“I really think the team overall, everyone has such great sportsmanship and is always there for each other and cheering,” Kobylarz said. “Having such great friendships in between the team also got us so far.”
Kobylarz has especially enjoyed teaming up with her younger sister Alia. The eighth grader has had quite the busy spring season, taking part in seven events. Ava is looking forward to joining forces with Alia for two more years.
“It’s great,” Kobylarz said. “This season, she’s tried a lot of events just trying to figure out what she likes the best. Competing with her is very fun. Our team is amazing. I love everyone I compete with, and the practices are so fun. We have really great bonds.”
As the Lansing community continues to celebrate Kobylarz’s outstanding accomplishment, she’s already focused on reaching new heights in the summer. Her goal is to clear 12 feet and six inches. By the time next spring rolls around, 13 feet could very well be achievable.
Alongside Kobylarz, Thibault was the other Bobcat who took part at states, finishing runner-up in Class C in the 3,200-meter run and seventh in the 1,600-meter run. As for the other IAC competitors from Tompkins County, Groton senior Ross Bush impressed with a third-place finish in the 800-meter run and seventh in the 1,600-meter run. Dryden junior Reagan Burnham finished in eighth place in the 3,000-meter run and 11th place in the 1,500-meter run.
Ithaca also sent another sizable squad to states. Sophomore Avery Whittaker placed 11th in the 1,500-meter run and 10th in the 3,000-meter run, junior Kenzie Burke finished in eighth place in the 400-meter hurdles, senior Hayden Cornell was ninth in the discus, junior Will Boscia placed 12th in the pentathlon, sophomore Gavin Cornell was 14th in the shot put, and junior Naasir Hakim-El Cardona finished 15th in the long jump. The 4×800-meter relay team consisting of senior Zoli Nadasdy, juniors Aidan Lazzaro and Daniel Zheng and sophomore Wyatt finished in 13th place.
