WCHS senior Claire Hickerson will continue her pole vaulting career at the Air Force Academy. Hickerson is flanked by her parents Jo and Bryan. In back are WCHS Athletic Director Dave Anson, Tommy Hickerson and WCHS girls track and field and cross country coach Scott Erba (Photo provided)

WARSAW – Warsaw Community High School pole vault standout Claire Hickerson has spent a lot of time on runways and in the air for the Lady Tigers Track & Field squad.

Hickerson is now set to continue mastering takeoffs and flight as the senior signed a letter of intent to attend the United States Air Force Academy and continue her pole vaulting career.

Hickerson owns the school record for pole vault with her 11’6” mark.  An IHSAA State Championships qualifier as a sophomore, Hickerson has helped lead the Lady Tigers Track & Field squad to three consecutive conference team championships (2011-13), three consecutive sectional championships (2011-13), and back to back regional championships (2012-13).  She was also a member of this past season’s Lady Tiger Cross Country squad that reached the state finals in Terre Haute.

Setting the bar high after school, it was only natural that Hickerson set the bar high in the classroom as well.  Enrolled in numerous Academic Honors, Dual Credit and Advanced Placement courses, she compiled a 12.19 grade-point-average on a 12-point scale, and ranks in the top 6% of her graduating class.

A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Tiger Student Athletic Board, and National Honor Society, the senior has made a positive impact on those around her and with others in the community.

Hickerson is set to earn Academic Honors Diploma when she graduates this coming June, and she intends to study engineering at Air Force.

Trained by area coaches John Bazzoni and Bob Shank along with the Lady Tiger staff, Hickerson is the third of four children of Jo and Bryan Hickerson to stand out in athletics at WCHS.  Sister Emily (’10, Grace College Soccer), and brother Joey (11’, Grace College Baseball) were multiple-sport athletes for the Tigers, and younger brother Tommy (’16) plays football and baseball.