NEDERLAND — The one track Kevon Latulas and Alec Torres have never stepped on is the one thing the two Nederland pole vaulters work for year-round.

“It kind of motivates us to work harder,” Torres said. “We’re almost there every time, one step away.”

Both seniors this year, Latulas said extra focus will be placed on Friday evening’s 5A Region III pole vault to get to the University of Texas’ Mike A. Myers Stadium track. He and Torres are making their fourth straight regional appearance.

“It’s extra focus, but I just take it one step at a time,” Latulas said.

Latulas took a big step last Thursday in winning the Area 11-5A title, improving his vault to a personal-best 14 feet, 6 inches — 1 full foot higher than in winning the District 22-5A championship 12 days earlier. Torres was second at 14 feet even.

“I had an opportunity to get on a bigger pole,” Latulas said. “I used it.”
The purpose, coach Chris Theriot said, was to help Latulas change his grip pattern.

“The vault is so difficult. There are so many moving parts,” Theriot said.

But the vault is an event where Nederland has ruled in 22-5A. In three of the last four years at districts, the Bulldogs have finished 1-2-3 in the event, with Colton Beeson taking third this year. Beeson was tied for the third-best height in areas, but finished fifth based on earlier misses.

“We’ve been doing it since seventh grade,” Torres said. “I guess it’s years of practice. Whenever we do practice, we get after it.”

Latulas’ victory at Beaumont’s Babe Zaharias Stadium gave him his first district title since his freshman year. Torres was the two-time defending district champion and won at areas a year ago.

“He’s good,” Torres said of Latulas beating him this time. “I’m not mad about it. I’m proud of him. He’s the most athletic kid out of our high school.”

It’s high but deserving praise for a wide receiver that is committed to Kilgore College and also runs on Nederland’s 4×100- and 4×200-meter teams. Latulas qualified in the 100-meter dash, but Theriot has pulled him out of that event for regionals so he can concentrate on the other events.

“We compete in Nederland,” Latulas said. “That’s what we do. Iron sharpens iron. God helped us along the way.”

A big contingent of Jefferson County field athletes will compete Friday and Saturday at Turner Stadium in Humble, looking for a top-two finish to qualify for the May 11-12 state meet.

Among area champions, Jamyus Jones (long jump), Elijah Hines (triple jump) and Tre’vonte Caine (shot put) of Port Arthur Memorial look to continue their dominance, as do Port Neches-Groves high jumper Preston Riggs and PNG long jumper Jacie Droddy, who was second in regionals last year and fifth in state.

Theriot said Latulas and Torres will need to jump at least 15 feet to make it to Austin, but he thinks the experience of regionals will keep them relaxed in their preparation.

It’s just one more step they have to take.

“If they had to practice without me, they could,” Theriot said. “They know what I expect. They know the process. With that being said, I think that’s a big attribute of theirs.”

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews