ESCANABA — Area pole vaulters had been anxiously awaiting an opportunity to take care of unfinished business.

After a 12-day delay, they got together here Wednesday to decide who was going to Saturday’s Upper Peninsula Track and Field Finals at Kingsford.

Competition was suspended after an Escanaba pole vaulter received injuries in a mishap during the Division 1 regional May 16.

Gladstone freshman Maggie Karl and senior teammate Chelsey Demeuse made the wait worth their while by taking top two places in girls’ pole vault at nine feet on this partly sunny and warm afternoon featuring a south breeze at the Esky track.

“It feels great to finally get over nine feet, especially with this being my last year,” Demeuse said. “This gives me a sense of relief for sure. It was kind of hard practicing for this. We had to make sure all the teams could get together. I’m so glad to get this in. I was starting to get a little frustrated because I’ve been stuck at 8-6 all season. This calms my nerves for the U.P. Finals. It’s a confidence builder.”

Demeuse’s latest accomplishment enabled her to tie the school record which she now shares with Maggie Karl.

“It feels good to get this in,” Maggie said. “It’s so close to the Finals. I just wanted to qualify. How high you go depends on how you run (during the approach).”

Manistique junior Kyra Carlson and Gladstone senior Lucy DeGroot grabbed the remaining qualifying spots.

Braves’ sophomore Andrew Karl placed third in boys’ pole vault at 14 feet.

“Changing the routine was the most challenging part,” he said. “You schedule your practices in advance. Consistency is key in any event. It’s a matter of deciding when to go hard and when to back off. I had plenty of height, but didn’t have the consistency with my pole.”

Marquette senior Drew Bradley, who will continue his education at Northern Michigan University this fall, indicated he was a little apprehensive coming into Wednesday’s competition.

He responded, however, with a runner-up finish at 14-3.

“Honestly, after seeing that happen was probably the hardest part about the day,” he said. “But you just had to block it out of your mind and take care of business. I’m a bigger guy. I just got my new pole last Thursday and this is my first meet using it. This is my fourth meet going over 14. I definitely got some momentum.”

Sentinels’ senior Mike Cottoor matched the school record at 14-6, one he shares with Bradley from earlier this season.

“Everyday we practice together,” Cattoor said. “We push each other in practice and meets. We’re kind of a dynamic duo. Mental toughness is key. We also have some young guys coming up whom we think will be good vaulters. The weather was pretty good here today. Hopefully, we’ll have perfect weather on Saturday.”