Presenting our newest feature: The Future Stars Series. In this series, we'll take a look at one freshman or sophomore that is making a big impact early in their career, and is showing that they are a star in the making.
This week's Future Star is Villa Maria Academy pole vaulter Maddy Kelley.
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Kelley, a sophomore at Malvern's Villa Maria Academy, is vaulting her way into the spotlight this season.
Freshman Veronica Vacca has got quite of a lot of attention for her terrific start to her career as a freshman, but Kelley has also been on a roll in her tenth grade season. She started her season off with a vault of 12-6, and has been solid all winter long, clearing 12-0 on two occasions.
It's been a nice progression for Kelley, who cleared a best of 11-0 during her freshman season last year before popping a strong 11-7 during the summer. Kelley was ninth at the PIAA State Championships last spring, just missing a top eight medal, but she's much improved this year and should be a factor for high placings at both the indoor and outdoor state meets.
12-6 puts her at PA No. 2 on the season, tied with Solanco junior Katie Urbine, and a half a foot behind the state leader Vacca. Kelley is currently the No. 4 sophomore pole vaulter in the country and sits at US No. 23 overall this indoor season. She is also the third best sophomore indoor vaulter in Pennsylvania history, trailing only former state record holder Lindsey Reagan (12-9.5 in 2004) and Brooke Corson (12-8 in 2020).
The future of Pennsylvania vaulting is in good hands with the likes of Vacca, Urbine, and Kelly, and it will be fun to see just how high these girls can go over the next few years.