Pasqualetti Breaks Saxer's New York State Record With 14-3 Vault

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Heading into Saturday's meet, Leah Pasqualetti had a personal best of 14 feet in the pole vault but had never made even 13 feet in the month of February. So her coach, Mike Auble, suggested she try and jump a February-best.

Pasqualetti, a senior at Orchard Park NY, got that and then some.

At Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y., in the Section 6 Groundhog Indoor Classic, Pasqualetti cleared 14 feet, 3 inches (4.34m) to set a new personal record and break the New York State Indoor pole vault record of 14-2 (4.31m) held by Mary Saxer of Lancaster set in 2005.

“It felt like all the work my coach and I have put in finally came together at the right time,” she said. “Nothing to compare it (the feeling) to.” 

VIDEO 

Pasqualetti's mark moves her to No. 5 in U.S. prep indoor history. She said she did not attempt a higher height as she and Auble decided to step off the gas with their goal accomplished. 

“Initially I was super nervous because I thought the expectations were pretty high,” Pasqualetti said. “But then my grandpa, who always comes to support me, told me, ‘No, the pressure is off you. You can just go after whatever you want to do.’ And I think him saying that made all the difference.”

It's been a whirlwind past few weeks for Pasqualetti as she cleared 14 feet (4.26m) on Jan. 25 at the Trent Jackson/Cedric Walker Invitational, becoming only the ninth high school female to clear 14 feet indoors.

“Mary (Saxer) she’s a great person on and off the track,” Pasqualetti said. “It’s such a blessing, I think it’s (the state record) still settling in.”

Next on her schedule, Pasqualetti will compete at the NYRR Millrose Games on Feb. 8 in the New York Athletic Club Women's Pole Vault.

“There are no words to describe that,” she said. “Never in a million years would I ever think that I’d be saying, ‘I made it to Millrose.’ It’s crazy. I’m very excited for the opportunity.”

Pasqualetti, who trains with Auble, of the Warsaw Pole Vault Club, has yet to decide on a college.