ST. PAUL – Austin senior Aiden Wilson wasn’t able to reach the podium, but he showed he can compete with the best in the pole vault at the Minnesota Class AA State Track and Field Meet in Hamline University Friday.

Wilson cleared a height of 13 feet to place 11th in the state meet, but he came up short on all three of his vaults at 13 feet, six-inches.

Wilson said he could definitely feel the nerves of competing in front of a large crowd for the first time.

“It was a little intimidating on the first few jumps, but that was expected with any first state appearance,” Wilson said. “No matter what sport it is, you’re going to be rattled. Senior year wouldn’t have been the same for me if I hadn’t made it to at least one state tournament. It was really good to finally make it here.”

Wilson took two attempts to clear each of his first two vaults, but he wasn’t able to get off a solid vault at 13-6. He had vaulted as high as 13-10 this season.

“I had some on and off jumps, more than I wanted,” Wilson said. “I tried to fix one of them and the pole just kind of mushed on me.”

Wilson will continue pole vaulting at the University of Wisconsin-Stout next season and he’s hoping Friday’s experience will help him as he moves forward in the pole vaulting.

“I was able to watch some pretty good vaulters and that’s something I’m going to take with me next year,” Wilson said. “I’ll use this is a stepping stone.”

Alec Wittman took first with a vault a 14-6.