Rochester, NY - Far from a stranger to breaking records, sophomore Erica Ellis (Gates-Chili) has once again upped her game. She's joined a very exclusive group of New Yorkers who have cleared 13-feet Indoors in the Pole Vault, after her Class B Sectional Title jump of 13-1. Only four girls have ever broken the mark indoors, while only two of those same girls have done so Outdoors as well. One of those girls is Mary Saxer (Lancaster - '05), who later became the first girl to ever clear 14-0 Indoors, with her 14-2 State Record Clearance. Coincidentally, the second girl in the country to ever clear the 14-0 barrier was Tiffany Maskulinksi (Iroquois - '05), who did so Outdoors, and holds the Outdoor State Record at 14-0.
These three girls all have something in common. They are coached by Rick Suhr, husband and coach to Olympic Gold Medalist and Indoor World Record Holder in the vault, Jenn Suhr. Rick now has the distinction of coaching over 50% of the State's 13-footers, as he also worked with Jenn O'Neill (Fairport - '04) who cleared the mark outdoors.
Ellis is the favorite for the State Title later this season. She is also now US #6 in the event, and has jumped higher than the Junior State Record as well.
