Lexi Evans, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo-bound senior at Scripps Ranch High and the reigning San Diego Section Division 2 pole vault champion, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing at the California state championship May 27-28 at the Veterans Memorial Stadium at Buchanan High in Clovis. Evans became the seventh female athlete in California prep history to clear 14 feet (4.27m) in the pole vault with her victory May 21 at Mount Carmel High. She also became the seventh high school competitor in the country this year to produce a 14-foot clearance, one day after Jathiyah Muhammad of Dublin also cleared 14 feet to capture the title at the North Coast Section Meet of Champions. Evans examines the depth of the field at the state meet, which also includes Allison Leigh of Del Norte, who achieved a 14-foot clearance last year, along with seven additional vaulters who have cleared 13 feet (3.96m) this season. She also analyzes how meaningful it is to have seven vaulters from the San Diego Section, including North County Pole Vault Club training partners Rose Wagner of Fallbrook, Quincy Hansen of San Dieguito Academy, Iliana Downing of La Costa Canyon and Evangeline Thomson of Poway. Evans expresses gratitude for the support of her family and teammates, and speaks about how significant the collaboration has been throughout her career with North County Pole Vault Club head coach Mike Wagenveld, along with her mentors at Scripps Ranch. She analyzes how beneficial it has been to compete in recent years against Paige Sommers of Westlake and Ashley Callahan of Rancho Bernardo, along with this season against Amanda Moll and Hana Moll of Capital High in Washington, in addition to getting valuable repetition in competitions hosted by Vaulter Club during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Big Red Barn facility in Menifee. Evans reflects on her progression from 13 feet last year to winning the California Winter Outdoor Championships in January at 13-2 and her continued development to reach 14 feet and clear the height on her first attempt. She shares her excitement for being able to compete in June at Nike Outdoor Nationals at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., along with her motivation to perform well as a freshman at Cal Poly. Evans also explores the potential for Scripps Ranch at the state championship meet, with teammates Aaliyah McCormick and Lizzie Tarczy also title contenders.