Katie Jones (South Williamsport) / Photo by Phil Grove
Girls' Pole Vault Preview
The depth of Pennsylvania girls' pole vault right now is crazy. We'll get to that shortly. But first, we must talk about the event's favorite, Katie Jones of South Williamsport.
Jones, the defending indoor state champion, has had an incredible senior season. She's won all seven of the eight meets she's competed in. The one she didn't win? Oh, she just shattered the PA all-time state record with a clearance of 13-6.5 at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston. Jones will be chasing more history on Saturday. She's a Penn State recruit, so what better way to close out her final PA state meet than with a win and another state record?
So, yeah, about that depth. Nine total girls have gone 12 feet or better this season in the pole vault and a few more are right on the cusp on that barrier. There was a time where 12 feet would guarantee you top three at least, but this year it may require that just to medal.
The second seed is Hempfield (3)'s Carena Nottoli. The junior and potential heir apparent to Jones, cleared 12-9 this season. She took fifth at Millrose and third at the Carnival. 13 feet is a definite possibility for her this weekend. Another one aiming for 13 feet is James M. Coughlin's Madisyn Hawkins. She's been very consistent this season, going over 12 feet EIGHT times. Her best was a 12-8 at the Pole Vault Summit in Nevada.
Cassandra Phelan (Laurel Highlands) / Photo by Phil Grove
Laurel Highlands' Cassandra Phelan is at PA#4. She cleared 12-6.5 this season, as well as 12-6 last weekend. The USF recruit will be one to watch after taking second at indoor states last year. Pittston Area's Abby Norwillo (PA#5) keeps building off a big performance at last spring's outdoor state meet. She's cleared 12-4 and should contend this weekend.
Spring Grove's Nathalie Elliott and Manheim Township's Courtney German have both cleared heights of 12-2. Manheim Township's MacKenzie Horn and Hempfield Area (7)'s Molly DeBone have both gotten over 12 feet. It's a crowded bunch of 12+ vaulters, but any of these girls with a good day could get inside the top five.
State College's Lyndsey Reed, Springside Chestnut Hill's Elizabeth Jefferson, Butler's Taylor Weaver, and Loyalsock's Hailey Zurich will be eyeing that 12 foot height and a medal on Saturday in this absolutely stacked event.
Girls' Pole Vault Entries:
Event 31 Girls Pole Vault (15)
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Starting Ht. 10' 0" Increase 6"
State Meet: 13-00.25 3/1/2008 Abby Schaffer, Easton Area
Name Year School
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1 DeBone, Molly 11 Hempfield
2 Elliott, Nathalie 12 Spring Grove
3 German, Courtney 12 Manheim Twp
4 Hawkins, Madisyn 12 James Coughlin
5 Horn, Mackenzie 11 Manheim Twp
6 Jefferson, Elizabeth 12 Spside Chestnut
7 Jones, Katie 12 S Williamsport
8 Lejman, Cala 12 Wissahickon
9 Norwillo, Abby 11 Pittston
10 Nottoli, Carena 11 Hempfield (3
11 Phelan, Cassandra 12 Laurel Highlands
12 Reed, Lyndsey 10 State College
13 Sheppard, Carley 11 Manheim Cent
14 Weaver, Taylor 12 Butler
15 Zurich, Hailey 10 Loyalsock Twp