Duke commit Kate Voelker (Manhasset) is off to a strong start to the Spring Season. After clicking off a personal best in her local dual meet, clearing 5-11 in the High Jump, Voelker came into Penn Relays as one of the favorites. She's currently tied with as NY-1 with Paige Fessler (Valley Stream North), who also cleared 5-11 for the first time. Both would be joined by indoor State Champ Ella Michelitch (Minisink Valley) for another three-way battle.
The final result lived up to the billing. Voelker, Michelitch, and NJ's Egypt Bolan all cleared 5-10.5, pushing the results into a three-way tie. Then, drama ensued, as nobody was able to clear 5-11.25. It prompted a sudden-death jump off, where the bar drops back down to 5-10.5. At that point, Bolan was delegated to third, based on prior clearances. The two New Yorkers had mirrored sheets.
Voelker made her clearance on the first attempt. When asked to answer, Michelitch missed on the first attempt. It moved the New Yorkers to 1-2 for the first time in the past 20 years in the event.
Voelker becomes the 6th New Yorker to win the Girls High Jump title at Penn Relays, with Karen Hill (Wantagh) winning the first three competitions ever, 1978-80. Voelker's mark matches the highest winning mark from a New Yorker with Stacy Grant (South Shore) who won with a 5-10.5 in 1994.
In history, only five winners have ever gone higher.
Duke commit Kate Voelker (Manhasset) is off to a strong start to the Spring Season. After clicking off a personal best in her local dual meet, clearing 5-11 in the High Jump, Voelker came into Penn Relays as one of the favorites. She's currently tied with as NY-1 with Paige Fessler (Valley Stream North), who also cleared 5-11 for the first time. Both would be joined by indoor State Champ Ella Michelitch (Minisink Valley) for another three-way battle.
The final result lived up to the billing. Voelker, Michelitch, and NJ's Egypt Bolan all cleared 5-10.5, pushing the results into a three-way tie. Then, drama ensued, as nobody was able to clear 5-11.25. It prompted a sudden-death jump off, where the bar drops back down to 5-10.5. At that point, Bolan was delegated to third, based on prior clearances. The two New Yorkers had mirrored sheets.