Sterling senior Rumbolz nearing school record and clean bill of health

Everything fell in place for the host Golden Warriors to wind up second at the 69th Annual Sterling Night Relays last Friday.

Senior Zaina Rumbolz, however, was reduced to watching her teammates under a blanket near the pole vault area.

Rumbolz was diagnosed with hyperflexion in her left ankle after landing on the pole vault pit in a dual at Rock Falls last Monday.

“When I landed, I couldn’t get up,” she said. “I really thought my season might be over, and I just sat there and cried.”

Rumbolz is optimistic about returning to action this week, but couldn’t help feeling down after being honored on Senior Night last Friday.

“It was definitely disappointing,” Rumbolz said. “But it was great to see our team do so well, and for all the seniors to have fun.”

A two-time state diving qualifier, Rumbolz is hopeful to make her second trip to the Class 2A state track & field meet. She added 10 inches to her personal best at the Lisle Sectional last year, clearing 9-7. However, she missed all three of her attempts at state.

“I was really unaware of how everything worked on competition day,” Rumbolz said. “I didn’t know coaches couldn’t be down by the event. Now I know you have to be independent.”

Rumbolz has been the area’s top girls pole vaulter this spring. She cleared 10-6 during the indoor season, and soared over 11-1 at the Geneseo Invitational back on April 19.

“We were excited about her progression last year,” Sterling coach Tyler Gaumer said. “But when you start talking about double-digits, that’s something very serious here. Only two other girls have gone over 11 feet here at Sterling, and only six have gone over 10-6.”

The two former Warriors who have made 11 feet are Gaumer’s sisters. Tori (Gaumer) Ladner, who graduated a year after her older brother in 2001, owns the school record in the pole vault (11-3) and triple jump (36-2). Tricia Gaumer cleared 11 feet before graduating in 2005.

“I think the biggest thing is finding a comfort zone,” Rumbolz said. “I’ve had to make some changes on the fly, but I put all the faith in my coach. He knows what’s best for me.”

Tyler Gaumer and his entire family know pole vaulting like few do. Tyler, in his 10th season as the girls track & field coach at his alma mater, cleared 14-6 in the pole vault, and still owns the school record in the 110 hurdles (14.50) and 300 hurdles (38.60). His brother, Tim, cleared 13-3 in the pole vault before graduating from SHS in 2008.

The family patriarch, former Sterling football and boys track & field coach Max Gaumer, always runs pole vault at the Night Relays. Last Friday was his 50th year at the meet.

All four Gaumer children competed in track & field at Division I schools. Tyler transferred to Illinois State after initially going to Iowa State to play football. He was joined in Normal by Tori, while Tricia attended Eastern Illinois. Timmy walked on at Illinois as a heptathlete and decathlete.

Rumbolz may not have the Gaumer family’s raw athletic talent, but she excels in analyzing her vaults and being receptive to her coach’s insight.

“She’s not the fastest or strongest,” Tyler Gaumer said. “But she’s the most coachable pole vaulter I’ve had the privilege to coach. I give her something to correct, and she’ll correct it on the very next vault.”

Sterling has two more meets before the Rochelle Sectional on May 9. The Warriors will travel to Sycamore on Tuesday, and to Geneseo for the Northern Illinois Big 12 Meet on Thursday.

Rumbolz has her sights set on the school record, but her coach is OK with her simply making the state-qualifying height and her former PR of 9-7.

“I’m proud of her because she’s set goals, met them, and made new goals,” Tyler Gaumer said. “It’s really exciting to see her close to the school record. But right now, we’re going to take it day by day.”