It was a big clearance for Leah Pasqualetti (Orchard Park) this weekend, that has elevated her to rarified air. The Senior from Section 6 hit a new lifetime best in the Pole Vault, clearing 14-0 at RIT on Saturday. Jumping at the Trent Jackson/Cedric Walker Invitational, the crowd watched in awe as she cleared the bar with room to spare.
The jump now makes her US #1 in the Pole Vault, bettering the nation by 6-inches. She also joins the 14-foot club for NY, becoming the third highest vaulter Indoors for the Empire State. Her 14-0 clearance also has her tied for US #8 All-Time. Vaulting has seen a resurgence in the past few years, as the 4 of the top 6 vaults in NY history all came within the last three years.
Leah was the Indoor State Champ as a Junior, then placing 5th at Nationals with a 13-2.25. Pasqualetti recently was filmed for a Workout Wednesday, with the first teaser being released earlier in the week. The full video will come later in the Season. Check out the Track Shack here.
Top 6 All-Time Indoors
14-2 4.32 MARY SAXER, Lancaster 05 14-1.25 4.3 * ERICA ELLIS, Gates-Chili 18 14-0 4.27 . LEAH PASQUALETTI, Orchard Park 20 13-6.25 4.12 KAELI THOMPSON, Warwick Valley 19 13-6 4.11 ALANA CARROLL, Averill Park 18 13-5.25 4.10 TIFFANY MASKULINSKI, Iroquois, Elma 05