Thompson qualifies for All-American status and seven Mason County records broken at state meet

Mason County track and field coach Mark Kachler says Ava Thompson's record-setting pole vault of 12 feet at the state indoor championships on Tuesday qualified her for All-American status and an invite to the Indoor National Championships.

That was one of seven school records broken at the state championships. The others include:

• Sarah Payne, girls' 400 meter (59.85)
• The girls' 4x200 meter relay team of Maddie Howard, Cece Hiatt, Ava Caskey and Sarah Payne (1:52.02)
• The girls' 4x400 meter relay team of Ava Thompson, Cece Hiatt, Ava Caskey and Sarah Payne (4:21.82)
• Deshawn Overly, boys' 1600 meter run (4:27.95) and boys' 3200 meter run (9:47.69)
• The boys' 4x200 meter relay team of Jaxen Crabtree, Micah Payne, Juan Carlos and CJ Arthur (1:34.82)

"Yesterday was a tough day," Kachler wrote in an email message. "A lot of things certainly did not go as planned. Injuries, illness (and) facility changes that were not anticipated, both before and during the meet. Through it all our athletes found a way to stay focused and find success. I think it is challenges like these that make people better. We have a great group of athletes and a great group of parents."