Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Lacey Waid, Havre Track

Lacey Waid has been extremely busy the last four years as a standout Havre High Blue Pony athlete. But having been offered a track and field scholarship to Montana State University-Billings, Waid won’t be slowing down anytime soon, as she takes her athleticism to the collegiate level.

Waid has been a force for Pony athletics since her freshman year, but as a senior, she is having her best year yet. The highlight so far was a Class A state basketball title she and the rest of the Ponies earned on March 15 with a win over Hamilton in the chipper in Great Falls. Waid was a four-year varsity player for head coach Dustin Kraske, while also garnering Second-Team All-Conference honors this season for her efforts in Central A action.

But Waid is also a four-year varsity track star, as well as three-year varsity volleyball player for HHS. As a hitter for the Pony volleyball program, Waid stepped up as one of the top kill getters for Havre this past season, and was also named a team captain, and the defensive MVP. But Waid has really stepped up as a Blue Pony pole vaulter. She has been vaulting since the eighth grade and hasn’t looked back. She tied the previous school record of 9-6 as a freshman, but set a new school record of 10-0 last season. This year Waid has already broken her own record and has reset the mark at 10-6. She has cleared 10-6 on several occasions, including last weekend when 10-6 also set a new meet record at the Whitefish ARM meet.

Her four years of athletics has been a great run for three Blue Pony programs, but Waid is also the president of the Pep Club and used to perform with the Havre High Hi-Liters choir.

And before Waid pushes on through the rest of her senior track season, hunting for a state title, she caught up with the Havre Daily News to answer five questions.

HDN: What did it feel like to set a new school record in the pole vault?

Waid: “The first time I cleared it, I didn’t even realize at first, I was just like ‘Oh my gosh, I just got 10-6.’ I didn’t really think about it until it happened. But it is different (than clearing the lower heights), when I realized I cleared 10-6, I did jump up and down and almost did a cartwheel, but I didn’t want to embarrass myself.”

HDN: Now that you know what it feels like to win a state title with the basketball team, how badly do you want to win a state title in the pole vault this year?

Waid: “I want it so bad. I have been waiting for this moment since my freshman year when I thought I could be pretty good at this. Two state titles would be amazing, so I want it bad. And everyone keeps saying that I am going to win it this year, and it is my year, and blah, blah, blah, so now I am on board. I am going to win it and it is like I have no doubt I can win it this year. I feel confident and I am having a good year, I have won every meet I have been in so far, so I hope I can continue.”

HDN: What is most exciting about going to college next year?

Waid: “I am just excited to leave and maybe grow up a little bit. I don’t want to grow up too fast, but it will be fun to just leave and get out of Havre for a little bit. I have been here my entire life, so it will be new and fun. But I am really excited for college track, I know they will whip me into shape.”

HDN: How different is it competing in team sports like basketball and volleyball, compared to what you do on the track team?

Waid: “I still worry about my teammates because track is a team sport, but I am able to focus on myself, too, in track. In basketball coach (Dustin) Kraske always tells us that it isn’t all about us during the season, but when I am competing in pole vault, it is all about me. I work hard because I want to get better, so when I am standing on the runway getting ready to vault, I am focused on myself and just thinking ‘I am going to get this.’”

HDN: How scary was it when you were first learning how to pole vault?

Waid: “I started in eighth grade because my brother (Lane Waid) vaulted. But I did get scared because (Tyson Gruber) fell into the pit and it looked like he was going to break his arm. It made me nervous for a little bit, but the next day I was, like, whatever and just tried it anyway. But I don’t think vaulting is really scary. I don’t think about it because my brother did it. And it happens so fast, I don’t think you have time to get scared.”