Hickerson Overcomes Obstacles To Soar
WARSAW – Perseverance pays off.
Just ask Claire Hickerson.
The Warsaw pole vaulter is reaping the reward for her can-do-it attitude.
Hickerson will cap a terrific bounce back senior season in style come Friday.
Hickerson will get to compete in the State Finals for the second time in her specialty in her prep career. She will be one of an outstanding contingent of Warsaw athletes taking part in the State Finals at Indiana University in Bloomington.
It’s been one long and trying road for Hickerson to get back to Bloomington. The school record holder and Air Force Academy bound student-athlete, who tied for 15th place at State as a sophomore, went through a tough season a year ago.
“This means a lot to me and I’m just very happy,” said Hickerson at practice on Monday. “There was a point last season that I did not know if I ever would get back to this level of competition.
“It wast just really, really tough and really hard last year. It was hard for me not being as big a part of the team. It was just awful. I had no confidence. I put a lot of pressure on myself. Too much pressure.
“I thought about quitting, but I knew I could not leave my team. I also love pole vaulting. I was motivated to come back and not have a repeat of that this year.”
Hickerson has soared in an event that requires a special type of athlete due to its uniqueness. She had a sensational sophomore season, clearing the state standard of 11-2 to place fourth at the regional. She then cleared 10-6 at State in 2012 to tie for 15th place. She struggled with many factors her juniors year, including injuries and the lack of confidence, finishing it by placing eighth at the regional with a height of 9-6.
“Last year was heartbreaking,” said Jo Hickerson, Claire’s mother and an assistant track coach. “To watch your child struggle through fears and injuries. It’s hard to describe in an event that is so complicated.
“This is just really sweet now. I’m just thrilled for her and with her to overcome the challenges she’s had. I just want her to have her best day ever on Friday at State and walk away on a high note.”
Hickerson, who has cleared a school record height of 11-6, has found her groove at the right time this season. She went 9-6 to win the title at the Northern Lakes Conference Meet and then cleared 10-6 to win the Warsaw Sectional championship. Hickerson was regional runner-up at Warsaw May 27 as she cleared 11-0.
“I’m just really excited for her and proud of her,” said Warsaw coach Scott Erba of Hickerson. “Last year was painful, frustrating and I hurt for her to see her struggle like she did.
“We talk to all our vaulters about how frustrating an event this is because of the complexity of it. Claire made little steps all year and she knew her deadline was the regional. She kept making progress and then it clicked for her at the regional.
“I just love her attitude going to State and that’s to just focus on herself. She’s come a long way with the journey she did. It’s really a story of perseverance.”
Hickerson comes from a very athletic family. Her mother was a Division I athlete and older siblings Emily (soccer) and Joey (baseball) both play at Grace College. Younger brother Tommy plays football and baseball at WCHS.
“I think way too much to do this event,” admitted Hickerson, who is an outstanding student. “It’s a blessing and a curse because there are so many technical things involved with vaulting.
“It just takes a certain determination to do this event because you are going to have more bad days than good ones. But my confidence has slowly built up this year. Step by step I went in the right direction after 14 months.
“I’m just very happy right now. I can’t control what happens around me Friday at State. I just want to go there and do my best.”