Nick Marino (Hatboro-Horsham) / Photo by Howard Anderson
Boys' Pole Vault Preview
Hatboro-Horsham's Nick Marino leads the way in the boys' pole vault as he looks to win his first Pennsylvania state title this weekend. Marino has had a terrific senior season so far. He won every meet, except one, the Millrose Games, which Mondo Duplantis, the national record holder, won. At the Armory for Millrose, Marino cleared his indoor best of 15-7.75.
Marino was fourth at indoor states last year and second in AAA outdoors. Saturday could be a big day for the recent Bucknell signee.
East Pennsboro's Payton Morris will be looking to take down Marino. The two met once this season---at Millrose--where Marino had the advantage. But other than that meet, Morris hasn't lost this winter. His best came at the Kevin Dare Invitational, where he cleared 15-4. He was fifth at indoor states last winter.
Kennett's Xavier Feliciano posted a big PR at the Carnival a few weeks ago. The senior went 15-0 for the win. He was 15th in the state last year, but he's improved a great deal since then and should be in the mix for a high place. Friends' Central's Robby Saligman has also improved a lot since last winter. Saligman enters the state meet with an indoor best of 14-10 this season. He's been consistent all winter and will be one to watch on the runway.
PA#5 Zach Austen of Cumberland Valley is another contender. He has a season best of 14-8. Hickory's Noah Stevenson had a big PR of 14-6 at YSU this past weekend that vaulted him up to PA#6 in the rankings. He'll be looking for a similar performance this weekend.
Baldwin's Dave Johnston enters this weekend at PA#7. There are four entries tied for PA#8. They include West Chester Rustin's Charles Dever, Upper Dublin's Alex Liu, and William Tennent's William Lee, and Schuylkill Valley's Joe Jardine.
Boys' Pole Vault Entries:
Event 32 Boys Pole Vault (17)
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Starting Ht. 12' 6" Increase 6"
State Meet: 16-03 2/28/2004 Andrew Rademacher, Hickory
Name Year School
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1 Austen, Zach 12 Cumberland Val
2 Dever, Charles 11 W C Rustin
3 Feliciano, Xavier 12 Kennett
4 Glatfelter, Brady 12 Eastern York
5 Jardine, Joe 11 Schuylkill Val
6 Johnson, Caleb 10 Phil-Mont Ch
7 Johnston, Dave 12 Baldwin
8 Lee, William 12 William Tennent
9 Liu, Alex 12 Upper Dublin
10 Marino, Nicholas 12 Hatboro Hors
11 Morris, Payton 11 E Pennsboro
12 Pelusi, Jono 11 North Allegh
13 Saligman, Robby 12 Friends' Central
14 Sattieux, Zach 10 Hempfield
15 Showmaker, Randy 11 William Tennent
16 Smiley, Chad 12 Spring Ford
17 Stevenson, Noah 12 Hickory