AAA Boys' Pole Vault Preview
Perhaps no event has done more shifting of the PA No. 1 spot recently than the boys pole vault. Over the course of the last week, four boys held down that spot at one point with district meets really having an effect.
Butler's Jack Codispot and his 15-2 entered districts week with the top spot. Then on Thursday, Luke Knipe of State College jumped 15-3 for the District 6 title to take over the top. Then on Friday evening, Matt Julian of Penn Manor went 15-7 to go to No. 1. Then on Saturday morning, Council Rock South's John Franco went over 16-0 to take the top spot heading into the state meet.
Needless to say, it's going to be a great battle for the state title here.
Codispot has been undefeated this season, most recently winning the WPIAL title. He's had a big season and will be in the mix for the win. Knipe, who was third at the indoor state meet, has been getting better and better all spring and should contend as well. Julian has had a big breakthrough season this year. He was second at indoor states (top PIAA finisher) and he will look to convert that into outdoor state gold. Franco, meanwhile, will be making his outdoor state meet debut. He missed out on states last year, but his 16 foot clearance may give him the momentum he needs to pull off the state title.
Other contenders in this deep field include Northern's Michael Ginder (cleared 15-0 at the District 3 Championships), Indiana Area's Isaac Roadman (14-10 season best), Neshaminy's Dan Dean (14-9 season best), and Bangor Area's Derek Lasher (14-9 season best).
This competition should be very interesting with a number of factors that should come into play on states day.
ENTRIES:
Event 713 Boys Pole Vault AAA
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NFHS Record: 19-05.50 2018 Armand Duplantis, Lafayette HS, LA
PIAA Record: 16-06 2012 Chris Williams, Strath Haven 01
NFHS Hnr Rol: 16-00
14-03.00 SQS
Name Year School Seed Mark Finals
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1 Franco, John 11 C R South 01 16-00.00 SQS
2 Julian, Matt 12 Penn Manor 03 15-07.00 SQS
3 Knipe, Luke 12 State College 06 15-03.00 SQS
4 Ginder, Michael 12 Northern 03 15-00.00 SQS
5 Lasher, Derek 11 Bangor Area 11 14-09.00 SQS
6 Hyatt, Dan 12 Hershey 03 14-06.00 SQS
7 Miller, Logan 12 Gen McLane 10 14-04.00 SQS
8 Wasson, David 12 State College 06 14-03.00 SQS
9 Holland, Khalid 12 Tamaqua Area 11 14-03.00 SQS
10 Dorefice, Ian 9 State College 06 14-03.00 SQS
11 Posten, Powell 12 E Strdsbrg So 11 14-03.00 SQS
12 Codispot, Jack 12 Butler 07 14-03.00 SQS
13 Barnhart, Tanner 10 Hempfield 07 14-03.00 SQS
14 Roadman, Isaac 11 Indiana Area 07 14-03.00 SQS
15 Flack, Hunter 10 Upper Perk 01 14-00.00
16 Dean, Dan 11 Neshaminy 01 14-00.00
17 Zehr, Josiah 12 LampeterStras 03 14-00.00
18 Blatt, Isaiah 12 Hamburg 03 14-00.00
19 Genereux, Pierce 12 Kennett 01 14-00.00
20 Yeust, Dalton 11 Tunkhannock 02 14-00.00
21 Kline, Andrew 11 Butler 07 13-09.00
22 Brubaker, Mason 10 Shikellamy 04 13-09.00
23 Vesper, Starrett 11 North Penn 01 13-06.00
24 Pauley, Matt 11 Conrad Weiser 03 13-06.00
25 Kellam, Steven 12 Bradford Area 09 13-03.00
26 Sylvester, Charles 11 St Joe's Prep 12 12-03.00