Every summer, Greg West and the West Athletics staff transform Port Aransas into one of the premier pole vault destinations in Texas. The setting is difficult to beat, with the Gulf Coast's sandy beaches and turquoise waters providing a picturesque backdrop. Yet year after year, the competition itself becomes the main attraction. The 2026 edition of the Port Aransas Beach Vault was no different, as many of Texas' top high school and club vaulters gathered to test themselves in one of the sport's most unique environments.
Leading the way was Austin Pole Vault and Throws standout Marriane Zorrilla, who captured the girls competition with a winning clearance of 13 feet, 0 inches. The Class of 2026 vaulter continued her impressive summer campaign by finishing just inches shy of her season-best clearance of 13-1.50. Zorrilla has steadily established herself among the state's elite vaulters and once again demonstrated her consistency by clearing 13 feet in a highly competitive field.
One of the most accomplished athletes in attendance was Kira Bowman, who recently graduated from Nevada Community High School after completing a remarkable career that included back-to-back UIL 4A state championships. Bowman closed her high school career with a UIL 4A state meet record clearance of 14-0.5 and is set to continue her career at Texas Tech University. While she managed only a 12-6 clearance in Port Aransas, the result is unlikely to cause concern as she transitions toward collegiate competition. Summer vaulting often serves as preparation for bigger goals ahead, and Bowman remains one of the state's most accomplished recent graduates.
Another athlete matching the 12-6 bar was Abby Tristan of Lago Vista and Austin Pole Vault and Throws. Tristan recently completed a breakthrough junior season that culminated in a personal best of 12-6 and a third-place finish at the UIL 4A State Championships. Her ability to duplicate that mark at Port Aransas suggests she is carrying strong momentum into the offseason and could be poised for an even bigger senior campaign.
The Austin Pole Vault and Throws contingent continued to impress with several athletes clearing 12 feet. Recent Westlake graduate Taylor LaBarge cleared 12-0, a solid performance that places her within striking distance of her personal best of 12-3.25. Teammate Robbie Oliver, a Round Rock graduate, also cleared 12-0 as she continues working back toward the form that produced previous bests of 12-6.25 and 12-9.25.
Another athlete moving closer to a personal best was Leilani Goodman of Dickinson and Bay Area Pole Vault. The soon-to-be junior cleared 12-0, placing her just six inches away from her lifetime best of 12-6. Given the amount of summer competition still ahead, Goodman appears well-positioned to challenge that mark in the coming weeks.
Trinity Thurman of Dallas Bishop Lynch and Texas Express Club shared the spotlight after also clearing 12-0. Thurman recently completed her junior season as the TAPPS state champion and, despite finishing well below her personal best, continued to demonstrate impressive consistency. The clearance marked her third competition of the year at 12 feet or higher, an encouraging sign as she prepares for her senior season.
Leander Rouse standout Reese Payne also joined the 12-foot club. The Austin Pole Vault and Throws athlete has quietly become one of the most versatile competitors in Texas. Payne's involvement in hurdles, throws, and pole vault illustrates the athleticism required to excel across multiple disciplines. The sophomore's 12-foot clearance represented another steady performance in a season filled with consistency, and a summer focused more heavily on vaulting could lead to even greater heights.
Another versatile athlete making headlines was Annalise Gonzalez of Rockwall and Club Vaultitude. Gonzalez, who is entering her junior year, has built a reputation as an athlete capable of excelling throughout the track and field spectrum. While she has not yet approached her 12-6 personal best this season, her 12-foot clearance in Port Aransas was an encouraging step in that direction and could signal bigger jumps later this summer.
Among the younger competitors, few athletes possess a broader skill set than Presley Parker of Mertzon Irion County. Parker's resume already includes a UIL 1A state title in the pole vault and a runner-up finish in the 300-meter hurdles, highlighting her remarkable versatility. The Concho Valley Pole Vault athlete has cleared 12-3 this season and multiple other marks at 12 feet, though she managed only 11-6 in Port Aransas. Even so, Parker remains one of the most exciting young vaulters in Texas, and her combination of speed, athleticism, and competitive experience makes her a name to watch throughout the remainder of the summer circuit.
As has become tradition, the West Athletics Port Aransas Beach Vault delivered both a memorable setting and high-level competition. While beachgoers enjoyed the Gulf Coast scenery, some of Texas' top vaulters continued their pursuit of bigger bars and bigger goals. If this meet is any indication, the rest of the summer vault season promises plenty more excitement.
