There is no fear of heights for either of Warren County’s standout pole vaulters.

For a county whose track programs are known more for producing speed and power, it’s the pole vaulters who will take center stage at this weekend’s state track and field meets.

St. Aloysius’ Maggie Waites, who currently holds the state’s best vault for girls this season at 11 feet, 3/4 inches, goes for her second gold medal at the Class 1A meet today at Pearl High School.

Warren Central’s Matt Waddle will take his shot in the Class 6A meet Saturday morning at Pearl. Waddle, a senior, won the North State 6A title last week by clearing 14 feet.

Even though they go to different schools, are separated by four years in age and a foot in height difference, the pair have done a lot of training together in the past month. Twice a week, both attend the Erika Bartolina Pole Vault Facility in Hammond, La. Bartolina was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in Beijing.