YOUNGSVILLE, La. (KLFY) — Today’s Athlete of the Week, KLFY highlights Lucas Owen and his pole vaulting talent.

Owens is senior at Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy (ARCA) and has been a pole vaulter since his freshman year. Owens spoke about how he fell in love with the sport.

“When I started, I saw my dad. He showed me some videos of him doing it, and I was like, I think I could do it too. I picked it up, started doing it, and I started enjoying it.” Owens said.

Owens started pole vaulting in middle school and joined the track team at ARCA to gain new experiences.

“It was a new school at the time. There was nothing, and I had the idea that I wanted to set records at the school because no one had done it before, and I wanted to be the first.” Owens said.

Owens said his biggest supporters are his family, especially his dad and his coaches. His inspiration also comes from another Lafayette native.

“Mondo, obviously, he’s from here, so I support him a lot and I find him to be a real good role model.” Owens said.

Outside of sports, Owens practices his musical talent through various instruments like his trumpet in ARCA’s band.

“I also like to play the guitar. I find that enjoyable because I learned how to play music, and then I started to pick up the guitar recently.” Owens said.

After graduation, Lucas wants to go to college, major in kinesiology, and continue pole vaulting on the collegiate level, but before leaving ARCA, he wants to win another outdoor state championship in pole vault. Owens won the Division Two Indoor State Championship in pole vault back in February and expressed what it would mean to be a dual champion in his senior year.

“It just means so much to me because it shows that you are the best and it shows that you are consistent with the heights that you jump, even through indoor. All the way, maybe, two months later than outdoor.” Owens said.

Lucas also has another goal he wants to achieve at the outdoor track & field state meet.

“I want to beat my dad. He jumped 15’2 in high school, and I’ve jumped 14’11 right now. A couple of inches and I’ll be there soon.” Owens said.

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