Veronica Vacca has wasted little time in her high school career before making some big statements in the pole vault. The Mount Saint Joseph Academy freshman has already registered three wins this indoor season and is making her way up some all-time pole vault lists.
Vacca vaulted 13 feet at the Ocean Breeze Holiday Festival -- an indoor personal best -- to capture the win in Staten Island, New York on Monday. That is the best vault by any Pennsylvania freshman -- indoors or outdoors -- in state history. Monday's performance comes on the heels of a 12-10 effort to win at the first DVGTCA meet of the season and 12-6 to win at the UC Holiday Invite.
Her 13 foot clearance makes her the 11th girl in state history to vault at least 13-0 and she is currently tied for PA No. 9 all-time. She is also up to US No. 2 all-time for freshman. Anna Willis of Colorado vaulted 13-1.5 as a ninth grader in 2020 for the record. Vacca is tied with two others at No. 2 on the all-time freshman list.
Vacca first emerged on our radar in 2020 when the then-13-year-old vaulted 12 feet at an outdoor summer meet in New Jersey. Now a ninth grader, Vacca is proving she'll be one to watch for the next four years.
