Rochester, NY - After twice setting the 8th Grade State Record last year, all eyes were on Erica Ellis (Gates-Chili) as she continued to push the bar higher at the Upstate NY Holiday Classic on December 27th. Ellis is a training partner of Jen Suhr, Olympic Gold Medalist in the event, as well as the current Indoor World Record Holder, whom opened her season at the same meet.
Suhr competed Sunday in the five-women elite division of the USA Track and Field Niagara championships at RIT's Gordon Field House that included Erica Ellis, a freshman at Gates Chili High School, and Janice Keppler of Medina, Orleans County. Both athletes train with her.
Ellis set a state record for freshman girls when she cleared 11-9 on her first attempt. She missed three attempts at 12-3.
"I can't put into words how much I wanted it," Ellis said of the record.
She started pole-vaulting to emulate her older brother Ryan, but now it has its own appeal. "When I'm working hard, it's fun," she said. "When I don't make a bar, I push myself and it's more motivating for me."
Suhr said Ellis is going to be fun to watch. "She has put a lot of work into it. She's a dedicated athlete and she's gifted. I hope for big things for her."
Read More Here from Patti Singer, Democrat and Chronicle
--
One day later, the dream to reach ever higher continued, as she cleared 12-1 to re-break her newly minted State Record at the DEF RWTL meet in Rochester. The mark not only makes her the new State Leader, she is now US #7, the only freshman in the Top 30 in the Country.
