She has always has had a knack for aiming high.<\/p>\n
Whether it is in the classroom or in the pole-vaulting pit at French Field, Kent-Meridian senior Kelsey Bueno has re-defined what it means to be a student-athlete.<\/p>\n
In fact, when she graduates from the East Hill school this spring with a cumulative grade-point average that borders on 4.00, the term \u201cstudent-athlete\u201d at K-M might as well be changed to \u201cThe Bueno.\u201d<\/p>\n
Few prep athletes in the area \u2013 or the state, for that matter \u2013 have been quite as successful in and out of the classroom as K-M\u2019s queen of the pole vault.<\/p>\n
Not only will she graduate with an impeccable academic record, she will do so with a diploma and a degree \u2014 at the same time.<\/p>\n
Not any ordinary student, Bueno (pronounced BWAY-no) enrolled in Running Start at Green River Community College two years ago. By the time she leaves Kent-Meridian next month, not only will she have her high school diploma in hand, but also a two-year business degree from Green River. In fact, Bueno will have her business degree shortly before her high school diploma.<\/p>\n
\u201cI probably could have graduated from high school the first quarter of this year,\u201d Bueno said. \u201cI saved one P.E. credit because I heard a rumor that if you complete high school, then (Running Start) is not paid for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Always thinking ahead, Bueno has shown she\u2019s just as skilled in the Kent-Meridian pole vault pit, where she currently possesses the second-highest mark in the state at an even 12 feet. It\u2019s a mark with which Bueno is happy, yet not completely satisfied with as she looks toward this weekend’s Class 4A state meet at Mount Tahoma High in Tacoma.<\/p>\n
“The ultimate goal is 13 feet,” said Bueno, who will compete at Washington State University next year on a partial scholarship.<\/p>\n
That 13-foot mark likely would bring home a state gold, something Bueno nearly won in 2009. Last May, Bueno finished second at meet, uncorking a personal-best of 11-9. That mark tied Richland\u2019s Jessica Christianson for the best of the meet. However, Christianson accomplished it in one less attempt than Bueno, thereby breaking the tie.<\/p>\n
Bueno\u2019s drive to reach the top is something Kent-Meridian coach Ernie Ammons has watched first-hand the last several years. Ammons, who is widely known for getting anybody and everybody out for the track season, plucked Bueno from the wrestling room to compete for the Royals on the track.<\/p>\n
\u201cI noticed that she was really strong (while wrestling) and that she had a gymnastics background,\u201d Ammons said. \u201cShe jumped on board right away in the pole vault. She liked it and got hooked.\u201d<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t take Ammons long to realize what he had in the pint-sized Bueno, who stands all of 5-foot-4.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has always been two steps ahead of where she\u2019s going,\u201d Ammons said about Bueno\u2019s academic and athletic drive. \u201cYou don\u2019t see that too often. She\u2019s very focused.\u201d<\/p>\n
As focused as Bueno is \u2014 and though it sometimes seems she is light years ahead of many of her peers because of her eye-opening academic career \u2014 she also possesses a rather grounded personality.<\/p>\n
That was never more evident than during April’s Pasco Invitational, which is widely regarded as the biggest track meet of the season outside of state. Bueno delivered a solid 11-6 mark at the meet, which was good enough for a third-place finish. Meanwhile, teammate Jenna Crain came into her own that day, ripping off a school-record 12-foot vault, which brought home a second-place finish and is currently tied with Bueno for the second best mark in the state.<\/p>\n
Instead of being jealous or upset over being outdone by her teammate, Bueno was just the opposite.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so excited for her when she got it,\u201d Bueno said. \u201cMy mouth gaped open and I went up and gave her a hug.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ammons expected nothing less from his classy pole vaulter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was fun to watch her do that,\u201d Ammons said. \u201cShe\u2019s just one of those kids \u2014 she\u2019s a young adult.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crain, who is currently one of K-M\u2019s top gymnasts, credited Bueno for the performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was shocked when I hit 12 feet. (Kelsey) was one of the main reasons I was able to do that,\u201d Crain said. \u201cWe definitely help each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Together, Bueno and Crain have developed into the top 1-2 pole vaulting punch in the state \u2014 a punch that now has its sights set on Tasha Clark of Mead High, who won the Pasco Invitational with a state-best mark of 12-3.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s mine and Jenna\u2019s goal. We want to one-up (Tasha) at state,\u201d Bueno said.<\/p>\n
To do so, they will have to be aiming plenty high.<\/p>\n
For Bueno, of course, that will be nothing new.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
She has always has had a knack for aiming high.
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