GLADSTONE — The Gladstone boys may not have won their track and field opener, but it was still a big day for them here Thursday.

Junior Andrew Karl also made it an historic day by setting the school pole vault record with a winning leap of 14-5 in their own invitational.

His latest effort was an inch higher than Josh Syverson’s best jump in 2009 and a personal record by two inches.

Gladstone placed third with 125 points Thursday, 12 fewer than two-time champ Escanaba and nine behind runner-up Rapid River.

“It was very important to get a meet in,” coach Gary Whitmer said. “That gave us a chance to get times on people, and it was nice to get that in before the Delta County meet.”

The Braves, with 37 on their team, will try to carry over some of that momentum Tuesday when they host the Delta County Invitational at 3:30 p.m.

Gladstone has five seniors on its roster, including Max Beauchamp in the 400-meter dash and 800 and 1600 relay, Vince DeAgostino (sprints), Carter Farnes (300 hurdles, high jump and discus), Mason Peltin (high jump and long jump) and Mason Sierpien (open 400 and 800 and 1600 relay).

Beside Karl, the Braves have eight more juniors with Austin Wills, Zeke Dykema, Ben Wilson and Micah McKnight in the weight events. Joining them are Chuck Cameron (distances), Caleb Casey (110 hurdles), Christian Hayes (3200 relay and open 800 and 1600).

“We have some depth in the weight events,” Whitmer said. “These guys have been lifting weights since football. We had some good practices in the gym. The cold weather sometimes sets things back a little.”

Promising sophomores are Landen Hughes (weight events), Will Inghram (high jump), Anthony Pelish (distances) and Jack DeGroot (sprints).

The Braves also have some freshmen who are showing promise. They include Colton Chmurynski (pole vault and 800), Andrew Young (sprints and long jump), Keondra Birch (sprints) and Charlie Blair (distances).

“I think he (Blair) is going to be good,” Whitmer said. “It’s just a matter of learning how to run.”

After Tuesday’s meet, the Braves will make another home appearance May 18 when they host the Great Northern Conference meet.

Next up is the Menominee Invite April 28.

The remaining schedule:

April 21 — Delta County Invitational; April 28 — Menominee Invitational.

May 1 — Escanaba Invitational; May 5 — Manistique Emerald Invitational; May 8 — Negaunee Invitational; May 13 — Division 1 regional at Manistique; May 18 — Great Northern Conference; May 30 — U.P. Finals at Kingsford.