SELINSGROVE — In Brant Long’s mind, clearing the first bar at whatever height he’s attempting is the most important one every time he enters a competition.
Once the Milton junior manages to propel himself over that pesky bar one time, reaching even greater heights comes much more easily.
Remarkably consistent since the calendar hopped from March into April, Long took it to yet another level Saturday at Susquehanna University’s remarkably warm yet breezy Doug Arthur Stadium as he claimed the pole vault title at the Jim Taylor High School Classic by clearing a career-best 14 feet.
Long hit a 13-6 at last weekend’s Don Wilhour Classic just up the street at Selinsgrove High School — Shikellamy’s Mason Brubaker popped 14 feet to win the head-to-head scrap — and the returning state qualifier matched that effort Thursday by clearing 13-6 in Milton’s loss at home to HAC-II rival Shamokin.
