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Things keep looking up in the Pole Vault, as All-Time bests, State Records, and more keep on popping up in the wake of the COVID shutdowns. Memorial Day Weekend saw a respite in competition, but when schools got back to it on Tuesday afternoon, athletes were ready to roll.
Neil Howard Ties Frosh State Record
Over in Section 2, where smaller dual meets are the name of the game, Maple Hill took on Taconic Falls head-to-head. Freshman Neil Howard (Taconic Hills) was already having a stellar day, clearing 22-0 in the Long Jump as a Freshman. It was then he transferred over to his main event, the Pole Vault, where he had already carried a 12-0 clearance from the Middie Invite down in Middletown. However, the bar was set for new heights, and after strong clearances at the early heights, was pushed up to 14-6. With one final effort, he was over, tying the previous State Record for Freshman.
That Record was set by fellow Section 2 alum Shane Racey (Ravena) whom would ultimately go on to win the 2020 Indoor State Title in the event with a HS- Best of 16-6. Racey set the mark back in 2017, and it looks as if the torch has been carried well. Howard has the rest of the Season to best that mark, with several Vault opportunities right on the horizon.
Laura Reigle Cracks A Lifetime Best
New York's Indoor State Leader has made the transition Outdoors, and in doing so, has added a new School Record to the mix. Indoors, she cleared 13-0.25 at the Ocean Breeze Elite Invitational, before ending her final indoor campaign. Now competing outdoors, Laura Reigle (Hilton) has gone one notch higher, clearing 13-1 at her most recent dual meet at home.
The mark is now NY #2 overall, and in the Top 30 Nationally. It also moves her to NY #6 All-Time in the event, and #3 All-Time for Section 5. Without a State Meet this year, Reigle can focus squarely on pushing that bar, looking to break 13-3 for a new Section Record.