Hodag highlights: Pole vault competition draws athletes of all ages to Hodag Dome

The Hodag Dome played host to soaring athletes on Sunday, December 21, as 25 pole vaulters from across Wisconsin converged for the North Pole Vault competition, an event that showcased both youthful talent and the enduring spirit of the sport.
The competition drew a remarkably diverse field, with participants ranging from high school freshmen taking their first competitive leaps to 52-year-old Chris Corteen of Hartford, proving that pole vaulting knows no age limit.
On the women’s side, local standout Jayme Wyss claimed top honors with a clearance of 11 feet. Wyss, who serves as both a track and volleyball coach in Rhinelander, edged out Wausau’s Mckaea Taylor, who also cleared 11 feet but accumulated more misses along the way. Rounding out the podium was Rhinelander High School junior Macy Myers, who cleared 10 feet to take third place.
The men’s competition saw Tyler Gingery of Marshfield vault his way to victory with a height of 13 feet. Corteen, defying expectations at 52 years old, secured second place with a clearance of 12 feet. Peyton Nest of Wausau finished third with a vault of 11 feet 6 inches.
Notably, Corteen and Wyss were the only non-high school athletes to reach the podium, highlighting both the depth of young talent in Wisconsin and the possibility for track and field athletes to compete well beyond their school years.