It was yet another eventful season for our MA track & field athletes. Throughout the summer months, Bay State Running will feature some of our most memorable performances during the outdoor campaign. Here we feature Acton-Boxborough’s Emerson Gould.
In 2001, Weston’s Samantha Shepard set the standard for the pole vault in Massachusetts by clearing the 13-foot barrier at the now-defunct Golden West Invitational in Sacramento with a state record of 13-0.75, an effort that earned her silver a the prestigious west coast meet. Since that performance 24 years ago, just seven others have cleared 12 feet. The Revolutions’ Gould joined that group this season by thrice achieving the milestone, including a PR of 12-2 to capture her first individual title at the Meet of Champions. The A-B senior, who was ranked No. 1 from the start of the season, was consistent throughout the spring with nothing less than 11 feet. There is no doubt she came the biggest when she needed to the most. A week prior to the MOC, Gould claimed the Division 1 title with a six-inch best of 12-feet even. She concluded the season at the New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia in mid June. Against the nation’s best at historic Franklin Field, Gould placed 15th overall with a near best of 12-1.5.
