Rhett Nelson, a Trinity Christian High School junior, has been improving greatly in the past year and is one of the top high school pole vaulters in the nation.
He is currently tied for second among high school pole vaulters with a vault of 17-0 feet, which he accomplished last week at the Arkansas Vault Club in Black Springs, Ark.
He competed at the Arkansas Invitational Track Meet at Fayetteville on Saturday, where he placed second with a vault of 17-0. The winner was Hayes Farmer of Lake Hamilton with a 17-5.
Nelson's next big meet will be the Class 1A/2A Indoor State Meet on Feb. 1 in Fayetteville
He has also been invited to compete in the Millrose Games on Feb. 9 in New York City. Only the top eight pole vaulters are invited to participate.
In addition to being a top pole vaulter, Nelson is a all-around top athlete as he placed 10th in a decathlon (10 track and field events) last spring at Cabot, Ark.