RUSSELLVILLE - Ariel Schaffer had a goal Thursday night.
The St. Elizabeth High School graduated senior was looking to set a personal record in the girls pole vault in the opening meet of the Russellville High School Summer Series. That meant clearing 8 feet, 6 inches in the event.
She came up just a little short.
"But 8 feet is pretty good for the first time out," Schaffer said.
Schaffer is one of about 20 St. Elizabeth athletes who resumed track and field practice about three weeks ago. The school said June 1 was the first available day to hold practices.
"But we waited just to make sure things were OK," St. Elizabeth pole vault coach Sheila Heckemeyer said.
A lot of those Hornets and Lady Hornets were sporting their black and yellow uniforms Thursday competing in running and field events around the track.
"Not all of them will be at all the meets, it's just when it works for their schedule," Heckemeyer said.
St. Elizabeth has been holding practices three days a week. A lot of the Hornets and Lady Hornets were starting fresh when practices resumed.
"It took about a week for everybody to get their legs back," Heckemeyer said.
There were around 10 girls competing in the pole vault at the meet, some from as far away as Owensville and St. Charles West.
Thursday night's height matched what Schaffer posted to finish seventh in the Class 1 state championships in 2019. But the opportunity to match or better that finish this year wasn't possible when the coronavirus pandemic closed schools and canceled all athletic events.
And while vaulting on a Thursday night didn't have quite the same feel as a state championship meet, it was nice to get back out there.
"It's very nice, you always want those last track meets as a senior," Schaefer said. "It means a lot."
Schaffer will get one last chance to set that personal mark next Friday in the second of the three meets in the series. The third and final meet in the series will be held Friday, July 24. The series is open to all high school athletes, including gradated seniors like Schaffer.
"I'm glad, it gives kids the opportunity to compete," Heckemeyer said. "Especially the seniors, they get one last chance to get some closure and I think that's what everybody is looking for."