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Finishing In Style

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By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

PORT RICHEY - Keari Brink's name seemed so fitting as track and field season winded down. She was, by any measure, on the brink of greatness, capable of great things though past seasons had ended short of the state meet.

But it quickly became evident that the Ridgewood pole vaulter's senior year wouldn't be like all the others. For one thing, she never lost or even appeared in danger of losing en route to the postseason meets. And by the time she won region, earning the No. 1 seed at the 3A state meet, any talk of her falling short of expectations had died down.

And like any champion does, Brink finished her prep career in style, winning Pasco County's only track and field state title this year with a personal and school-record 11-foot vault at Showalter Field in Winter Park, on a do-or-die final attempt at the height. It was also the first state title for the traditionally strong Ridgewood pole vaulting program.

Combined with all the other accolades, including Sunshine Athletic Conference, district and regional titles, Brink was a natural choice for The Tampa Tribune Girls Track Athlete of the Year honors.

"The year went exactly how we expected it to go," said Ridgewood pole vault coach John Herig. "Conference, district, region, state, everything came together."

But it was one single vault, the 11-foot final attempt at state, which seemed to allow everything else to fall into place.

She had failed attempts at 9-6 and 10-0 before clearing each height, meaning she would lose a tiebreaker for the title if she did not clear 11 feet. Making the jump tenser was the fact that she had come so close to clearing it on the first two attempts, keeping her agonizingly short of her ultimate goal.

But as she contorted herself over the bar, prompting a rousing ovation from the crowd and screams of "yes, yes, yes" from Herig in the stands, Brink began to celebrate before she hit the ground.

"I was overwhelmed with joy," she said minutes after accepting her medal. "At first, I thought this was a dream - it wasn't happening. Then - reality check. I was so happy.

"It took four years, but it happened."

In addition to all her prep honors, including a place on the Ridgewood Wall of Fame, Brink has received added attention from college scouts and would appear on her way to an athletic scholarship, most likely from a Division I school. She remains undecided on where she'll go.

Herig said she will be competing at the Golden South Classic in Orlando on June 7. Coaches from several colleges are expected to attend.

GIRLS TRACK FIRST TEAM

Jasmine Pleasant, Wesley Chapel

Karissa Bertling, Ridgewood

Jessica Jagielski, Mitchell

Courtney McAuliffe, Gulf

Ariel Grey, Wiregrass Ranch

Nikki Johnson, Gulf

Shaniqua Hill, Wesley Chapel

Jamieshia Parker, Zephyrhills

Caitlin Young, Mitchell

Francis Schmidt, Land O' Lakes

Keari Brink, Ridgewood

Reta Woodard, Land O' Lakes

Jeani Ducos, Wesley Chapel

Patience Shackley, Wesley Chapel

Jazzmyn Love-Roberts, Wesley Chapel

Renee Vaughns, Wesley Chapel

Meredith Dean, Wesley Chapel

Kandice Watson, Wesley Chapel

Kirsten Fee, Wesley Chapel

Jessica Furst, Wesley Chapel

Desiree Vizcaino, Wesley Chapel

Coach of the Year: Kristi Frye, Wesley Chapel

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