GREAT HEIGHTS: Mountain View High School pole vaulters Brandin Bear, left, and Cara Carpenter will vault today at the Meet of Champions at Sandra Day O’Connor High School.

Laura Segall, For the Tribune

They took different paths, but ended up at the same desired destination: on top. Cara Carpenter and Brandin Bear, a pair of recently graduated Mesa Mountain View High athletes, became the first-ever classmates to win state pole vault championships in Class 5A-I.

They are scheduled to continue their careers today at the Meet of Champions, set for Glendale Sandra Day O’Connor High School.

Both feel they have more to accomplish.

Carpenter defended her state title by clearing a 5A-I state meet record height of 12 feet, 9 inches. She is hoping to get 13-3 this weekend, which would break the state record of 13-1/4, set by April Kubishta of Lake Havasu in 2003.

“That’s my focus right now,” said Carpenter, who missed on her three attempts at 13-1/2 at the state meet held May 10. “This event is more relaxed. There’s less pressure so I think that could help.”

Bear agrees the atmosphere should be more relaxed. Today’s meet — which starts at 7 p.m. — features all the state champions from 5A through 1A. In the pole vault, any girl who cleared 10-7 and any boy who made 14 feet is also invited.

“I’m definitely just going to get after it and let it all out,” said Bear, who won his state title with a height of 15-6. “I’m happy to have the state title behind me. The happier you are, the better you vault.”

Carpenter said the meet’s ambiance could be so subdued she heard a few boys may sport Batman or Superman costumes.

“It could be funny to see,” she said. “But I don’t think I was supposed to say that.”

Joe Sullivan, the Toros’ vault coach, believes Carpenter could clear 14 feet before the end of the summer, and thinks Bear has the ability to get over at least 16 feet. Both athletes are set to compete in the Great Southwest Meet next month in New Mexico.

“Cara is a naturally talented athlete with great speed and strength,” Sullivan said. “Brandin is so consistent. Technically he always comes through.”

Mainly because Mesa is the only school district in the state where athletes are not allowed to vault until their sophomore years, Bear and Carpenter began their athletic careers in different venues.

Bear competed in cross-country and wrestling until a shoulder separation derailed his wrestling plans. He turned to vaulting for what he calls “an adrenaline rush.”

Bear admits had he been injury-free he doubts he would have tried the sport. He will continue his 3-year-old career at the Air Force Academy this fall on a track scholarship.

“Vaulting definitely gave me opportunities I would never have had otherwise,” said Bear, who desperately wants to break the school record of 16-4.

“I thought I would have had the school record already. So I have some work to do yet,” he said.

Carpenter grew up a gymnast. She began her track career in the triple and long jumps. Jami Michaud, a close friend, encouraged her to try vaulting. The two became best of friends, with Carpenter beating Michaud for the 2007 state title. Michaud has moved on to Paradise Valley Community College where she became the national indoor and outdoor champion this year.

“She helped me keep my focus,” said Carpenter, who also finished sixth in the state in the triple jump this spring and wants to continue vaulting at ASU this fall. “Vaulting is a sport where you can always challenge yourself.”