A year ago, Emily Swift failed to advance to the finals of the pole vault at the state track meet.
This time around, she did that and much more.

In the final event of her high school career, the senior brought home a medal from Eastern Illinois University after finishing in a tie for fifth place in Class 2A.

“I am excited,” said the soft-spoken Swift. “It feels good. It is especially nice in my last year.”

The senior cleared a height of 10 feet, 3 inches, which put her in a tie with Jordan Pinkston of Kaneland and Grace Shadid of Peoria Notre Dame. Emily Clay of Normal won the event after clearing the bar at 11-7.

Swift’s mark easily bettered last year’s performance at state when she cleared 9-6 last weekend. She narrowly missed getting over the bar at 10-6 in her first two attempts.

“I actually think I was more nervous this time,” she said. “To get 10-3, which is a PR, is exciting. I was hoping to get in the top 10 but I didn’t know I would get to fifth place.”

Junior Vija Lietuvninkas also advanced to the finals in the high jump and finished in 10th place after with a height of 5-2.

Also competing for R-B at state were Brenna Mossman in the long jump (16-6-1/4). Mossman had qualified for the state meet with a jump of 16-10-1/2 at the Glenbard South sectional.

The 4 x 400-meter relay grouping of Cynina Mason, Kate Walsh, Mossman and Jackie Grisafe also took part in the prelimanaries on Friday and put together a time of 4:11.07.