Culver City High School is known for its solid academics and competitive athletic programs that produce good, sometimes great, athletes.

Colin Heffner may be the next super star in the making.  He cleared a personal best of 12 feet, 6 inches in the pole vault last week against North Torrance.

Heffner’s coach is convinced he can go higher.

“I think he can clear 13-6 or 14 feet in the next couple of weeks,” said the Centaurs’ pole vault coach Ollie Thomas.

“He is an extremely dedicated athlete. He  is very positive.  He also is a tremendous person, a joy to coach.”

Heffner, a junior who was born and raised in Culver City, wanted to be a sprinter. But a coach convinced him to try pole vaulting. The rest is going to be history.

“My goal right now is to win the Ocean League finals,” said Heffner last week.

“My speed is pretty good. I need to work on my vertical and bring my shoulders back so I can clear higher heights.”

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley@aol.com