Superior's Kovalsky soars to new heights

One day last year, probably several years before that, Lucas Kovalsky looked skyward.

He had a goal as he gazed up from the track and field grounds at Superior High: go higher than anyone at Superior High had ever gone. 

Later last year, he achieved what would be just a part of that initial goal. 

Taking hold of the pole vault pole, under the watchful eye of his coach, April Quinlan, Kovalsky began his run down the pole vault path.  He planted one end of it firmly in the vaulter’s box, then used the bend din the pole to catapult to uncharted heights, much to the delight of his coach and teammates. 

On that day, the then-junior cleared 12 feet, 6 inches...a new school record and personal best jump. 

There were bigger things to come. 

“I really wanted to get that mark I had raised for myself,” he said. “I was determined to reach my goal”. 

As it turned out, the new personal best vault was not his “goal.” Not for this determined, multiple-sport standout.  The real goal was a lofty one indeed, 14 feet. 

For most people, 14 feet would require oxygen or handrails. But Kovalsky is not “most” people. 

Fast forward to last month in Laurel, site of the State Class B track and field championships. It was a cold, windy and rainy setting to say the least. 

But Kovalsky cashed in on a bank of determination and drive, and vaulted 13-6, tying a new personal and school record he set this year. 

He did not make 14 feet. But from the top of the pole vault medals stand, it seemed like he did. 

That vault was good enough to crown him as a state champion. And for a guy who hit new heights, he was enjoying the view from the medals stand’s top step. 

“It (being on the top step) felt amazing,” he said. “I will remember that feeling forever. It was all worth it”. 

And in true all-American guy fashion, he offered thanks to his coaches, teammates, friends and parents for helping him achieve state champion status. 

“I had a really great four years of high school sports,” Kovalsky said. “I wouldn’t have been the athlete I became without all my coaches pushing me to become the best person and athlete.  

Coach Charlie Crabb (wrestling and football) and coach Jeff Schultz (head football coach) and coach April Quinlan, who worked with me in vaulting and stayed after practice with me to get in some more practice. I’d like to greatly thank them all.”

“I’d also like to thank my mom and dad for believing in me and helping make me a 'stud' as coach Schultz said.”

Kovalsky, who was also a member of the school’s state championship wrestling team in 2022, and a standout running back/wide receiver for the football team, said dedication to a sport is the key ingredient to success. 

“Dedication is the only word I can think of to describe the mental and physical challenge,” he said. “In practice you may feel like you’re not making progress, but you’ve got to keep on grinding and going for a goal you set for yourself” 

After the state track meet this year, Kovalsky headed to Billings where he is spending the summer working 10-hour days for a contractor, along with school buddy Chandon Vulles, who is also a state champion, having won the heavyweight title during the Bobcats’ championship season. 

He said he has received some college scholarship offers but is going to pursue another goal instead: becoming a journeyman lineman.   

“I’ve had a few offers come in, but I read them and threw them away because I have my future planned and want to pursue what I really want to do and that is become a lineman”. 

He says he will definitely miss his high school days and the people he met along the way. 

“Making so many memories with all 100 something kids, making bonds with all of them and just being a kid,” he cited as things he will miss.  

But one thing is for certain, if it’s not 14 feet up soaring over a pole vault bar, working at lofty heights will be in the cards for Lucas.