In 2017, Tyler Lee's Branson Ellis had another great season. This time, the season was his senior and last go around. Last year, he rode that terrific ride all of the way to a 16-1.25 personal best and a second place finish at the UIL state meet. Coming into this season, Ellis said it best, "I did not want to go back home with a second place medal." He followed that mind set up with what it took to get the gold medal. Ellis won the UIL 6A state title with a 16-3 vault and the right to be the #3 vaulter in the State of Texas.
#2. PEYTON WEISSMANN - Grapevine
Peyton Weissmann of Grapevine came into the 2016-17 season after having a junior that was as good as they get. There was only one competition in which Weissmann did not win. He took third at the Texas relays and returned to his top form all of the way until the end of the season that ended at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships with a 16-4.75 personal best. This season was just as spectacular. It started off during the indoor season, when Weissmann competed in several indoor meets. He ended with a personal best of 17-0 and flung into the outdoor season where he didn't lose a meet until the UIL season was over. In that time, Weissmann vaulted a Texas #1 height of 17-4 as well as earning his second straight UIL 5A state title and the #2 spot.
Riley Richards is "The Man". The boys pole vault in Texas has been one of the most competitive events in the state and he has been one of the leaders of the pack for the last couple of years. He came into the season as the defending UIL 4A champion and hit the indoor season on a tear. He popped three big time 17 foot jumps right off the back including an astounding 17-7 vault at the Texas A&M High School Indoor Classic. From there, Richards would go through a couple of injuries that would affect his training and competing. In time, Richards would rehab and recover well enough to return to competition just in time for district, area, regionals, and state. From there, he would vault high enough to reach the state meet as well as earn his second straight UIL 4A state pole vault title and return to 17 foot jumps. To end the season, Richards would eventually win the TTFCA Meet of Champions and place second at the Great Southwest Classic, thus earning Richards out top spot for the 2017 pole vault season.