Girls' Pole Vault Preview
A talented group of now-graduated vaulters from last year has given way to an equally impressive crop of vaulters this season. They'll be ready to put on a show this weekend at Penn State.
State College's Lyndsey Reed, who battled injury last spring, has come back with a vengeance this winter. She's got better and better and jumped 13-01.5 on the PSU runway earlier in February (and has another jump over at 13-00 this season). She stands at PA#1 and US#7. The senior is the favorite for Sunday, as she looks to grab her first state title.
Liliana Cohen of Germantown Academy is new to PA, but she's the immediately become a factor for a state crown, too. Cohen transferred from New York for the start of this season and will be a contender with a season best of 12-10 (PA#2).
Sydney Horn of Manheim Township, the younger sister of last year's state champ, Mackenzie Horn, will also figure into the conversation. She started her season with a 12-7 and recently PR'd at Millrose, showing she can contend for gold, as well.
The three top PA vaulters each jumped 12-09.5 at the Millrose Games (with Horn defeating the others on attempts). It just sets the stage for what should be a thrilling event on Sunday.
Victoria Atkinson of Scranton Preparatory can't be slept on, though. The senior won the Thursday edition of the Junior Girls PV at Millrose with a PR of 12-5.5. She's earned some quality wins this year and can keep pace with the others in this field.
Three others in the field -- Hailey Zurich (Loyalsock Township), Taylor Shriver (Waynesburg Central), and Danielle Heine (Abington Heights) -- have all jumped 12 feet or better this winter. Zurich most recently jumped 12-1 at VaultWorX. Heine was fifth at states last season, while Shriver has been one of this year's top breakthroughs.
Central York's Cierra Crane and Central Dauphin's Gabriella Recce are right there at around 12 feet and could make some noise on the right day.
Entries:
Event 31 Girls Pole Vault (16) =============================================================================== Meet Record: 13-00.25 3/1/2008 Abby Schaffer, Easton Area Name Year School =============================================================================== 1 Altonen, Sara 11 Wilson Area 2 Annelli, Nickolina 12 Methacton 3 Atkinson, Victoria 12 Scranton Prep 4 Barcarola, Trina 11 Western Wayne 5 Cohen, Liliana 11 Germantwn Acad 6 Crane, Cierra 12 Central York 7 Grossman, Kendall 11 Moniteau 8 Heine, Danielle 12 Abing Heights 9 Horn, Sydney 11 Manheim Twp 10 Libell, Rebecca 12 Bethel Park 11 Mong, Rylie 12 Warrior Run 12 Recce, Gabriella 11 Central Daupin 13 Reed, Lyndsey 12 State College 14 Riches, Allison 12 Hatboro Hors 15 Shriver, Taylor 10 Waynesburg C 16 Zurich, Hailey 12 Loyalsock Twp