Whiz Kid: All-State Pole Vaulter Ned Hemmerle

Whiz Kid’s Name and Age: Ned Hemmerle, 18

Whiz Kid’s School: Wilton High School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments: One of three Wilton High School track competitors to receive all-state recognition and tie a school record at the winter track state open in February.

Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness:

Wilton High School Pole Vaulter and Javeline thrower Ned Hemmerle is one of three Wilton High School winter track competitors to receive all-state recognition towards the end of the indoor track season. Fellow teammates Tim Becker and join him.

Hemmerle also tied the Wilton High School pole vault record at 13 feet, up five points from his FCIAC placement of 12.5, and six shy of Thomas Kirkpatrick at 13.6.

There is no complex formula to Hemmerle’s success on the mat except for extra practice, which has included special coaching and summer camps run by Jan Johnson – thanks to help from his father Glenn Hemmerle.

“I just put a lot of work in the past four years,” said the senior who was also a major contributor for Warrior football.

Hemmerle will be attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland next year where he plans to major in international relations and business. “I thought it was an interesting place,” he said. Participation at the club sport level is also a possibility in Rugby and Lacrosse. “I’ll have to see,” he said.

The two-sport athlete is proud to hold other accolades as well including: Second team All-FCIAC as a running back, placement on the track eastern division team sophomore year,  second place at the state class meet and FCIAC along with the state open.

Struggles with past experiences in golf and track have helped Hemmerle perservere and achieve the inevitable.Wilton High School track coach Ted Farah says the key to Hemmerle’s success is his work ethic.

“He kept getting second,” Farah said. With the spring track season well underway, first place is definitely a goal and one that Farah believes will be surpassed.

“He wants it,” he said of Hammerle's desire to reach the top spot.

While individual efforts are vital in track Hemmerle would be even more pleased if the same three seniors are able to have the same indoor track success during the outdoor post-season based on team point totals; an attribute that would set Wilton track a part from the rest and along the trio to leave a Warrior legacy.   

“That’s a big deal and definitely puts us in a good position to win and do well,” Hemmerle said.

Hemmerle might even take a shot at the 10 event, two-day Decathlon meet at season’s end.