Charlotte Brown, blind pole vaulter, finishes fourth at state meet

A legally blind 16-year-old pole vaulter tied for fourth in the Texas high school Class 3A state championship meet Friday.

Charlotte Brown, a junior from Emory Rains High School, cleared 11 feet but missed all three of her attempts at 11 feet, 6 inches, according to reports.

The New York Times and The Associated Press profiled Brown before she finished eighth at last year’s state meet. From the AP:

Brown was born with normal vision but developed problems while an infant. She has no depth perception, sees no color and cannot distinguish shapes. Her range of vision is similar to looking through a tiny straw. She reads Braille and will get a seeing eye dog next month.

Brown cleared 10-6 at last year’s state meet. Another blind pole vaulter, Aria Ottmueller, reportedly finished sixth at an Arizona state high school meet last year.

Talked to Emory Rains' Charlotte Brown. She lost what little sight she had since last year's state meet. Even more remarkable. #oavarsity

— Adam Zuvanich (@AZuvanich) May 9, 2014

Class 3A pole vault qualifiers, including Emory Rains' Charlotte Brown and her guide dog. #STpreps pic.twitter.com/pnDREg9z7s

— Carlos Silva Jr. (@cmsilvajr) May 9, 2014

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