Pole Vaulting Duo Soars High for Loyola

Having covered high school sports for more than 25 years, it never ceases to amaze me how easy it is to identify a teenager who pole vaults.

With few exceptions, they’re absolute flakes. They think they can fly. Falling to the ground is a thrill to them. Their only fear is not having enough fun.

At Los Angeles Loyola High, junior Matt Contreras could be the poster boy for pole vaulters. He was forced to miss last week’s Pasadena Games because he dressed up as a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day and missed practice trying to return his costume.

Last year, during a trip to Reno, Contreras jumped onto a luggage cart in the airport parking lot and kept crashing it into a snow bank.

“He was surfing, skiing, I don’t know what he thought he was doing,” Coach Greg Wells said.

Then there’s Contreras’ pole-vault teammate Donny Appanaitis. He doesn’t crave attention and doesn’t dress up as a leprechaun.

“Donny is a dream guy,” Wells said. “Whatever you ask of him, he does. Matt will argue with you, then analyze.”

Together, they form perhaps the best pole vaulting duo in Southern California. Appanaitis has cleared a state-leading 15 feet 6 inches. Contreras isn’t far behind at 15-0.

They are as different as night and day. Appanaitis is a 6-foot, 157-pound laid-back senior who listens to soft rock music and spends hours in the weight room.

Contreras is a 5-5, 140-pound redhead who never stops talking. He used to ride dirt bikes, has done gymnastics, listens to hard rock and wears designer sunglasses.

Both live in Palos Verdes, are excellent students and their personalities seem to motivate each other.

Contreras credits Appanaitis’ dedication for convincing him to devote more time and energy to the pole vault.

“I really saw how much it helps to work in the off-season and how much harder he works,” Contreras said.

Contreras’ best mark last season was 12-6. As he soars this season to personal bests, Appanaitis has been forced to keep going higher to stay ahead.

“Because he’s going high, it’s bringing up the competition,” Appanaitis said. “Last year, I didn’t have anyone to push me. He’s always talking smack. He tried to make me angry so I could do better. He’d always tell me no matter what I do, he’s going to beat me in the end. That makes me determined to leave a record he can’t break.”

Neither started pole vaulting until they were freshmen. Appanaitis cleared a meager 6-0 on his first successful attempt.

“I thought I was pretty bad,” he said.

Lots of practice, improved strength and conquering the fear of injury kept him going higher.

“It takes a lot of time to get that fear away,” he said. “I remember the first time I actually got the pole to bend. The fear was actually a rush, like a roller coaster. It’s not a bad fear. After time, it becomes really fun and that fear goes away.”

Contreras was born to be a daredevil, and pole vaulting appears to be the ideal sport for him.

“Some kid asked a coach, ‘Who’d make the perfect pole vaulter?’ and my name came up,” he said. “I was definitely hooked, flying through the air. You run as fast as you can, stick the pole in the ground and hope everything goes right.... Anything that’s dangerous, I always like to try once.”

Appanaitis and Contreras travel to meets together. They root for each other and offer helpful tips, but their competitive spirit always comes through.

“He doesn’t like to lose to me,” Contreras said. “I’ll beat him at state, but don’t tell him I said that.”

Contreras was disappointed he didn’t get the chance to compete at the Pasadena Games because he was being punished for missing practice, but he’s not about to apologize for dressing up as a leprechaun.

“I was a great leprechaun,” he said.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com