Chloe Timberg's record-setting season continued in a big way on Saturday, as the Central Bucks West senior took down the all-time Pennsylvania state record in the pole vault...and then some.
On her own high school campus for the Central Bucks West Relays, Timberg cleared 13-7.5 to break the state record and then promptly got over 14-2.25 to improve even more on her record.
She entered the competition at 12-0, which she cleared on her first attempt. After a miss at 12-6, she got over on her second try and then was clean on her first attempt at 13-1 before they moved the bar to 13-7.5, which was a quarter inch better than the previous state record of 13-7.25*, set by Manheim Township's Mackenzie Horn in 2018 at the PIAA District 3 Championships.
Timberg cleared 13-7.5 on her first attempt with relative ease to break Horn's record. Then the bar went to 14-2.25, which Timberg also cleared on her first attempt.
All-Time Pennsylvania Rankings
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14-2.25 | 2021 | ||
| 2 | 13-7.25 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 13-7 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 13-6 | 2006 | ||
| 4 | 13-6 | 2020 | ||
| 4 | 13-6 | 2020 | ||
| 7 | 13-1.5 | 2019 |
With that Timberg becomes the first Pennsylvania girl ever to get over 14 feet in the pole vault. Only 11 PA high schoolers have ever cleared 13 feet. The vault moves Timberg up to ninth all-time in United States high school history.
The national record, which currently stands at 14-8.5, has been broken each of the last three years, most recently by record holder Paige Sommers of California. On the season, Timberg is currently US No. 3, trailing only Sommer and Olivia Lueking of Texas (14-3).
Timberg's record comes on the heels of a terrific indoor campaign. During the winter, she cleared 13-10, to break the indoor state record. The senior still has quite a bit left in her senior year, which means plenty of opportunities to have a crack at her own state record and a chance to move further up the all-time national rankings.
Watch videos of her record clearances, courtesy of Scott Sherwood and her father, Paul:
13-7.5
14-2.25
* -- Horn's '18 state record 13-7.25 actually came indoors after the pole vault was moved inside because of inclimate weather at the meet. South Williamsport's Katie Jones cleared 13-7 -- the previous outdoor best -- at the 2017 PIAA District 4 Championships.