Luke Annichiarico takes back the top NJ spot with a 15-2 vault / Photos by Robert Kellert for MileSplit
The top pole vaulters have been going back and forth this season. And just like Renaud Lavillenie, who just broke the world record in pole vault, each athlete is trying to have the final spotlight in the event by the end of the season. A few of the top vaulters in NJ tried for their own meet records recently.
This is especially true with Luke Annichiarico and Dylan Altland of Northern Valley Old Tappan and Kingsway. Dylan Altland took over the top spot at Sectionals and the next day Luke Annichiarico said "not so fast". Both were attempting to break the All-Group record for Sectionals. NJ#3 right now is held by Abe Gertler of Madison HS and he put in some major work from last year where his best indoor height was 12-6, he now sits at 15-0. He also cleared 14-0 at outdoor Meet of Champions last spring.
Dylan Altland attempts to break the All-Group Sectionals record. / Photo by Robert Kellert for MileSplit
New Jersey's Top 8 Boy Pole Vaulters
| Rank | Mark | Athlete Name | Team | C/O | Date | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
15-2 |
Luke Annichiarico | Northern Valley HS - Old Tappan | 2014 | 02/09/2014 | NJSIAA Sectional Championships - North I Gr. 3&4 |
| 2. | 15-1 | Dylan Altland | Kingsway | 2014 | 02/08/2014 | NJSIAA Sectional Championships - South Gr. 3&4 |
| 3. | 15-0 | Abe Gertler | Madison HS | 2014 | 02/04/2014 | The Varsity Classic |
| 4. | 14-9 | Mike Benz | Delbarton School | 2014 | 12/22/2013 | Armory Youth Holiday Classic |
| 5. | 14-9 | Trevor Knowles | North Hunterdon HS | 2014 | 01/10/2014 | East Stroudsburg Warrior Classic |
| 6. | 14-6 | Tyler Bernstein | Hunterdon Central HS | 2014 | 01/29/2014 | Poreda Invitational |
| 7. | 14-6 | Andrew Hunter | Watchung Hills Reg. HS | 2014 | 01/29/2014 | The Metropolitan Invitational |
| 8. | 14-3 | Alexander Kossak | Hunterdon Central HS | 2014 | 01/03/2014 | The Hispanic Games |
Who do you think will have the highest vault by the end of the season?
How about the girls as well. The current leader Katlyn Rymarzow has shown great improvement from her 2013 indoor season best vault of 11-3 by hitting 11-9 early on. She also cleared a 12-0 bar at East Coast Relays during outdoor last spring. But we cannot rule out the consistent performer Lyndsi Ross-Trevor or Montclair Kimberley Academy, she still has yet to compete in her State competition this season being a Non-Public school. We will see how she performs on Wednesday during the Non-Public B Group meet. Monica Benz deserves a shout out as well, she is having a career season improving to a height of 11-6 already from last year's indoor best of 10-6!! What an improvement to be tied for NJ#2 currently.
New Jersey's Top 8 Girl Pole Vaulters
| Rank | Mark | Athlete Name | Team | C/O | Date | Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 11-9 | Katlyn Rymarzow | Pope John XXIII HS | 2015 | 01/24/2014 | New Balance Games |
| 2. | 11-6 | Lyndsi Ross-Trevor | Montclair Kimberley Academy | 2014 | 12/28/2013 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 3. | 11-6 | Monica Benz | Villa Walsh Academy | 2015 | 01/23/2014 | Morris County Championships |
| 4. | 11-6 | Marlena Sabatino | Hillsborough HS | 2014 | 01/25/2014 | Skyland Conference Indoor Championships |
| 5. | 11-6 | Catherine Rozalski | Queen of Peace HS | 2015 | 02/04/2014 | The Varsity Classic |
| 6. | 11-4 | Marlena Paz | West Morris Central HS | 2014 | 12/30/2013 | Passarelli Invitational |
| 7. | 11-1 | Nicole Macco | Matawan Reg. HS | 2015 | 02/04/2014 | Colts Neck & Friends Invitational |
| 8. | 11-1 | Kaitlyn Dermen | Millville HS | 2014 | 02/08/2014 | NJSIAA Sectional Championships - South Gr. 3&4 |
Let us know who you think will lead the state by the end of the season!