Advertisement

After all, Taylor Voice sailed over the bar in the pole vault at heights few ever have for the Boyne City High School boys track and field team last spring.

He just didn't wear a big "S" on his shirt, or change into his Ramblers track uniform in a telephone booth.

But he might have been mistaken for "Superman" by his Boyne City teammates because of his stunning consistency.

Coach Tom Nagurka could count on him to score at least a third place every meet, and more often a first.

"Finishing any lower was not an option for Voice."

Tuning out any distractions that might set his mind to wandering, Voice maintained his focus on reaching heights that would lead him to the state championship meet.

Along the way, Voice set new standards in the pole vault that will be difficult to beat.

Records, it is said, are made to be broken. Nagurka obviously hopes that there are those among the athletes who will return to the team next season who are eagerly eyeing the marks Voice left in his wake.

"It'll take hard work to accomplish it, but Voice was an excellent example to follow in that area as well." He didn't shy away from putting in the extra time needed to perfect his craft.

Nagurka regularly pointed to Voice when talking with the younger members of his team (Boyne City had 13 underclassmen) as the Rambler senior went through his paces every practice.

"Voice endlessly went over his approach, the way he griped the fiberglass pole, how he cleared the bar ... and how much higher he could go."

And it paid off for him at the Division 3 regional meet in East Jordan, when Voice cleared the bar at 13 feet, 6 inches to claim the championship.

That earned him a spot in the state finals. He was the only boy from Boyne City to qualify.

But he made it count, finishing third and earning All-State honors as well as bronze medal by clearing a height slightly in excess of 14 feet.

It eclipsed his own school record of 13-6 established at the 2006 state finals, when he finished in fourth place.

The old school record was set 28 years earlier at 12 feet, 11 3/4 inches by Kirk West.

Voice's performance at the regional and state meets as a reflection of his outstanding work ethic. He gave his best each practice, and each meet. No half-hearted efforts from him.

Nagurka will miss Voice's presence on the team, not only for the points he would score for the Ramblers, but for his leadership.

"Voice set an example for all of the others to emulate."

Convincing the returning athletes next year that they need to put in the time and effort to be successful won't be so difficult after Voice's success.

The underclassmen on the team showed tremendous improvement from the start of the season until the finish, and Nagurka hopes that continues next year.

Ethan Mapes and Ryan Spence became two other stalwarts joining Voice as regular point-producers for the Ramblers during the season, and theur return next spring will give the Ramblers a major boost.

What the future holds for Voice remains to be seen, but his past certainly won't be forgotten at Boyne City High School.

Others may come along and break his records. But none will fill his shoes.

He earned his awards.