Cedar Ridge sophomore Ben Pardue started pole vaulting last year. In just one year of work, he finished 2nd at the Big 8 Championships last week at Southern Durham with a distance of 12 feet. On Saturday, he will compete in the 3A Mideast Regionals for the first time. He has several goals outlined as he moves forward with his track and field career, including for the Regionals at Southeast Guilford on Greensboro on Saturday.