Boys Track & Field MVP: Drew Layton, Waynesburg
The third time was the charm in more ways than one for Waynesburg’s Drew Layton.
The senior won a gold medal at the PIAA Track & Field Championships in the Class 2A pole vault during his third trip to the state meet, and on his third attempt at the winning height of 15-3. Layton also bested Richland’s Logan Gossard for the first time in three tries after placing second in last year’s PIAA meet and finishing as runner-up in the indoor state meet in February.
Layton cleared all his heights on the first attempt until he, Gossard and Penn Argyl’s Taylor LaBarre missed twice at 15-3. Layton made his attempt before Gossard, who came in as the top seed, missed the third time and Layton assured himself the gold. LaBarre attempted to clear the height first.
Not bad for a guy who has been wearing a walking boot, because of a stress fracture, since the winter.
“I am definitely going to rest this summer,” Layton said after receiving the gold medal. “I haven’t been able to practice, and this is only the fifth meet I’ve vaulted in all season. I knew if I vaulted in practice, it would only make it worse, so I just winged it.”
Layton was presented his medal by his brother, Daniel Layton, who is former state champion.
Layton, who won the WPIAL championship with a vault of 14-9, will continue his track & field career at Slippery Rock University.