Girls track athlete of the week: Kaitlyn Merritt, Santa Margarita

Kaitlyn Merritt

Santa Margarita

The Eagles freshman cleared a lifetime best 13-0 in the pole vault to help the Eagles to a 79-44 victory over Rosary in a Trinity League dual meet. With that clearance, Merritt became only the fourth pole vaulter in county history to clear 13-0 and broke her own freshman class state record that she set with a 12-10¼ clearance earlier this season. Merritt, who is currently tied for the best clearance in the state and the second best in the nation, closed the week by clearing 12-9 to win the title at the Orange County Championships.

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Santa Margarita's Merritt sets state freshman pole vault record