High School Sports |

District 1 Track and Field Championships: Villa’s Maddy Kelley earns gold amid talented pole vault group

CALN TWP. — All of the top five finishers in the District 1 Class 3A girls’ pole vault Friday pretty much knew they’d be fighting it out again next week in Shippensburg.

Maddy Kelley of Villa Maria, Veronica Vacca of Mount Saint Joseph’s, Sarah Frey of Kennett, Sophia Hill of Radnor and Penncrest’s Kamryn Ohm all had cleared the qualifying height of 11-6. The only real question was whether others would emerge, as up to eight participants go to states if all meet the qualifying standard.

After a spirited start Kelley broke out of the pack as the winner, the senior jumping 13-0 to take the gold medal. Vacca also jumped 13-0 but passed up her last two attempts due to what a coach described as tightness in her back, and that made Kelley’s day.

“This is my first time winning it, and it’s really exciting,” Kelley said. “I was really excited to make states and then this. We compete with the same girls all year round so, it’s kind of nice to all be here together. But it’s really exciting to come out with a win this year. It’s my senior year and it’s a nice culmination. And I’m looking forward to next week.”

Kelley’s personal best is 13-6, and while it looked like she had the height to exceed that, her drop was slightly off. Vacca, who has a personal best of 14-3, broke the state indoor record of 13-10 with a vault of 14-0. Vacca had plenty of lift Friday but just couldn’t get it done before the decision was made to shut it down and get ready for states.

Kelley also isn’t 100 percent as she’s working her way back from torn ligaments in an ankle.

“I felt pretty good,” Kelley said. “My run was like a little bit off today, so I was just kind of working on the technique that I’ve been working on the last few weeks. I’ve just been building back this outdoor season trying to get back from an ankle injury in indoors.”

Kelley passed on her jumps until the bar reached 11-0. She cleared 11-0, 11-6, 12-0 and 12-6 on her first vaults before needing all three to top 13-0. She missed all three attempts at 13-6.

Frey finished third in the pole vault Friday at 12-6. Hill and Ohm both cleared 11-6, but Hill was fourth based on fewer misses. Ohm was fifth. Again, all are headed to states.

If Kelly and Vacca are healthy, the competition at states will be interesting.

Katie Urbine of Solanco went 13-10 last year to win the Class 3A state pole vault title. The outdoor state pole vault record is 14-02.25 set by Chloe Timberg of Central Bucks West.

“My practices have felt really good and I’m looking forward to states next weekend,” Kelley said. “So hopefully, I’ll jump even higher. Hopefully, PR.”