When Peyten Ware was in the third grade she needed something to do while she was out at North Webster's spring football practice. Her father, John Ware, was in his first year as the Knight's head football coach. Peyten looked over and saw North Webster's Claire Tyler vaulting and decided to go see what it was all about.
Six years later in 2019, Tyler was coaching track and field at her alma mater and coached Ware, who was a freshman, well enough to break her own school record-setting the new mark at 9-7.
There have been many practices and many two hour plus trips to Norman, Arkansas, where Ware travels twice a week and trains with the Arkansas Vault Club and Coach Morry Sanders, but all of the sacrifice and hard work paid off on Wednesday when she signed a Letter of Intent with Northwestern State University on National Signing Day.
The Demons weren't the first to express an interest in Ware, but-like Ware's experience in track and field-it's not how you start. It's how you finish.
"I really liked their coaching staff," Ware said. "They didn't try to impress you. They were very down-to-earth. I enjoyed getting to visit with the pole vaulters there."
The thing that sealed the deal for Ware was the fact that Northwestern State was able to offer her more money than the University of Central Arkansas, who was the first school to express an interest.
Ware also took visits to the University of Louisiana-Monroe, Southern Arkansas University, and Louisiana Tech.
It was a special day as Ware signed her LOI in front of friends and family in the North Webster gym.
"It was great," Ware said. "It made me feel like it wasn't for nothing. All of those practices and trips were for that moment."
Ware, who has a personal record of 11-7, has been working on her technique during the indoor season. Specifically, she is focusing on her bottom arm and inverting more.
She is hoping the hard work-and the trips to Arkansas-pay off as she finishes her senior
Indoor season by competing in the LSU Last Chance Qualifier this Saturday and then the LHSAA State Indoor meet on February 19.
At last year's Class 4A LHSAA State Outdoor Meet, Ware vaulted 11-4.5 and finished second to E.D White's Laura DeGravelle, who won on fewer misses.
Ware has her sights on winning a state championship in 2022.
"I want to improve my technique," Ware said. "I really want a state championship. I don't want to finish as runner-up. I know I have to get my technique right to get there."