Most high school pole vaulters strive to reach the 11-foot mark. Greenwood's Bailee McCorkle isn't your normal pole vaulter. She's also not even in high school yet.
McCorkle traveled the state competing this year but her talents took her to the junior Olympics last week in Greensboro, N.C.
The soon to be freshman at Greenwood cleared 11 feet and 3/4 inch to take the bronze in her division out of 26 competitors.
"It was a long trip but it was worth it because I actually got third place and I jumped 11 feet," McCorkle said. "It was kind of tough. The competition was really good. I felt like I was having a pretty good day and it was just a different setting. It all turned out pretty good."
Finishing third is impressive by itself but even more so considering McCorkle picked up the sport because she was looking for something to do.
"I did gymnastics for eight years and after I quit I didn't know what to do so I went to track practice one day," McCorkle said. "Coach Mack pulled me over and told me to try pole vaulting. It just kind of became natural."