Girls' Pole Vault Preview
Not long ago, a 12-foot vault was the mark of a statewide leader or an athlete challenging for a PIAA or PTFCA title.
However, times have changed in this event as 57 girls have cleared 12-0 at least once since 2007, according to MileSplit's database. This year, 10 of the indoor finalists have cleared that height, with one of the few returning event champions looking very difficult to beat Sunday in this event.
Sydney Horn of Manheim Township has posted winning marks of at least 13-0 at seven of her nine indoor meets, with 12-9 and 12-0 being her other marks in 2020. The only blemish on her 2020 indoor season is a second at the Millrose Games, where she cleared 13-5.5. That setback was to US#1 Leah Pasqualetti of Orchard Park, NY, who has cleared 14-3.
Horn's 13-6 win at the PTFCA Indoor Track Carnival and same clearance at Franklin & Marshall earlier is US#3 this year. A year ago, the High Point University recruit won with a 12-6 vault and was 7th as a sophomore at 11-6. She's taken some good cracks at topping the all-time state record, and this weekend, she may look to go after it (13-9.25).
Six in the field enter with season bests of at least 12-7 so Horn should not be alone late in the competition. Liliana Cohen of Germantown Academy is tied for ninth nationally at 13-1.5, while Gabriella Recce of Central Dauphin shares the No. 11 spot with her 13-0 PR.
Chloe Timberg of Central Bucks West, Brooke Corson of Owen J. Roberts and Meghan Hart of Unionville each have at least one more indoor to battle for gold if the senior favorites don't run into issues on the runway.
The bar will start at 10-0 and head up 6 inches at a time. The field of 21 will be challenged early, with big air moments sure to follow on the infield of the Ashenfelter Track.
Event 31 Girls Pole Vault ============================================================ =================== Starting Ht. 10' 0" Increase 6" Meet Record: 13-00.25 3/1/2008 Abby Schaffer, Easton Area 11-00.00 SGQ State Guideline Name Year School ============================== ============================== =================== 1 Altonen, Sara 12 Wilson Area 2 Barcarola, Trina 12 Western Wayne 3 Bond, Annalise 11 Selinsgrove 4 Brewer, Corinn 10 Grsburg Central 5 Cardin, Rileigh 12 Carlisle 6 Cohen, Liliana 12 Germantown Acad 7 Corson, Brooke 10 O J Roberts 8 Grossman, Kendall 12 Moniteau 9 Hart, Meghan 11 Unionville 10 Horn, Sydney 12 Manheim Twp 11 Knott, Kalli 11 McDowell 12 Leister, Brenna 12 Central York 13 Lewis, Laken 12 Clarion Area 14 Mangahas, Jada 12 Parkland 15 Recce, Gabriella 12 Central Daupin 16 Shriver, Taylor 11 Waynesburg Cen 17 Sitkowski, Olesya 12 Phoenixville 18 Stein, Rory 11 Methacton 19 Thorne, Kaitlyn 10 Central York 20 Timberg, Chloe 11 CB West 21 Tuley, Mary 12 Kennett