Mark Sabin was a sophomore just picking up the pole vault, but every once in a while he’d raise the bungee cord to the High School South school record height 14-feet-3 during practice.
“My club coach always says, you can always tell what you can jump based on how high the bungee or bar looks,” Sabin said. “At the time, it looked impossible, like I’d never get it.”
Three years later, Sabin has raised the school record almost a full foot and graduates as the record holder for Central Jersey Group IV as well, after clearing 15-feet-2 to win the sectional May 25.
Sabin ran cross country as a sophomore, and when he came out for spring track, his cross country and track coach Kurt Wayton suggested he try pole vault. It seemed to suit the personality of Sabin, who had been exploring competitive rock climbing options when he came to track.
