How great is the N.J. boys pole vault this year???
Two words sum it up.
BEST EVER!!!!!
This past Monday, pole vaulting in New Jersey soared to new heights when senior Peter Fagan of Westfield made 16-0, tying the Union County record, and senior Nick Eckett of Jackson Liberty cleared a PR of 15-6 at the East Coast Relays in Randolph.
Eckett’s performance was remarkable considering he fractured his pelvic bone on his final attempt at the indoor Meet of Champions in February, sidelining him for more than two months.
Fagan and Eckett’s jumps gave New Jersey four vaulters over 15-6 or higher this season, the first time in state history that four guys have made 15-6 or better in the same season.
Senior Craig Hunter of Robbinsville made 16-6 on May 11 at the Mercer County Championships, tied for No. 2 in state history, and senior Jordan Pacheco of Morris broke the Morris County record when he made 16-1, tied for No. 6 in state history, on May 7 at the NJAC Championships.
And there are three other vaulters at 15-0 this spring-seniors Eric Geider of Demarest, Nick Patterson of Morris Knolls and Mike Closs of New Providence
When Fagan made his 16-0, tied for No. 8 in state history, it marked just the second time in state history that three guys made 16-0 or better in the same season in state history.
In 1980, Bill Lange of Bridgewater East (16-6), Will Nesbitt of Millburn (16-4) and Dan Heyburn of Cranford (16-0) all made 16-0 or higher.
Here is the updated list of the New Jersey’ top pole vault performances in state history.
NEW JERSEY OUTDOOR ALL-TIME POLE VAULT LIST
17-4 1/2-Adam Sarafian, Ocean Township, 2004
16-6-Bill Lange, Bridgewater East, 1980
16-6-Craig Hunter, Robbinsville, 2013
16-4-Will Nesbitt, Millburn, 1980
16-1 1/4-Bill Hartley, Southern, 1976
16-1-Eric Richard, Bridgewater East, 1981
16-1-Jordan Pacheco, Morris Hills, 2013
16-0-Bob Green, Haddon Heights, 1992
16-0-Dan Heyburn, Cranford, 1980
16-0-Peter Fagan, Westfield, 2013
15-9-Dan Bertolami, Woodbridge, 1984
15-7 1/2-Greg Schroeder, Hanover Park, 1992
15-7-Garrick Wilson, Randolph, 1991
15-7-Brandon Kurtz, Absegami, 1991
15-7-Anthony Abitante, Gov. Livingston, 2005
15-7-Jordan Subai, Toms River North, 2010
15-6-Trevor Jelmett, Green Brook, 1989
15-6-Andy Brethorst, Morris Knolls, 1990
15-6-Justin Amezquita, Gov. Livingston, 2010
15-6-Christian Bok, Southern, 2010
15-6-Nick Eckett, Jackson Liberty, 2013
ANATOMY OF THE POLE VAULT
STATE RECORD PROGRESSION
12-0 1/2-Arky Trenton, Vineland, 1931
12-6- Don Riley, Collingwood, 1942
12-6 3/4-Don Rley, Collingwood, 1943
13-7 1/4-Don Bragg, Penn Grove, 1953
13-7 1/2-Gil Botvin, Peddie, 1956
14-0 1/2-Buford Williams, Piscataway, 1966
14-6-Rick Fisher, Cherry Hill East, 1971
14-7 1/2-Mark MacCracken, Tanafly, 1972
14-8-Mike Remus, Cedar Grove, 1973
15-0-Bert Reppen, Highland Park, 1974
15-6 1/2-Bill Hartley, Southern, 1975
16-1 1/2-Bill Hartley, Southern, 1976
16-6-Bill Lange, Bridgewater East, 1980
17-4 1/2-Adam Sarafian, Ocean Township, 2004
From: http://www.nj.com/hssports/blog/boystrackandfield/index.ssf/2013/05/new_jerseys_top_pole_vaulters_are_raising_the_bar_with_record_breaking_season.html
