After achieving national prep and American U-20 all-time outdoor marks with 14-8.25 (4.48m) clearance in California, Orchard Park NY graduate and Kent State signee is scheduled to square off in New Jersey against U.S. outdoor leader and NACAC U-23 gold medalist McDonald and her 14-9 (4.50m) personal-best effort

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Leah Pasqualetti already prevailed in one showdown involving the top two prep girls vaulters in the country this year.

Now, the Orchard Park NY graduate will have the opportunity to compete Saturday in what is scheduled to be a showcase of the top two female vaulters in the nation so far this outdoor season at the Vault Factory Fourth of July Bash.

Pasqualetti, 18, produced the all-time national high school and American U-20 outdoor marks June 26 with her clearance of 14 feet, 8.25 inches (4.48m) in a matchup against California state and national junior class record holder Paige Sommers of Westlake High at the Vaulter Club Vaulter Magazine Stars and Stripes Big Red Barn Meet in Sun City, Calif.

Pasqualetti, a Kent State signee, is expected to square off against Winthrop graduate and U.S. outdoor leader Alina McDonald in the women’s elite section at the Vault Factory facility in Basking Ridge, N.J., looking to become the first prep female vaulter to achieve a 15-foot clearance (4.57m).

The Masters and open sections are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EDT, with the elite sections to follow.

McDonald, 22, achieved a personal-best 14-9 (4.50m) clearance March 22 at the Coastal Carolina University Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C., which has remained the national outdoor leader during the Coronavirus pandemic.

McDonald, who secured the gold medal for the U.S. last July by clearing 14-1.25 (4.30m) at the NACAC U-23 Championships in Queretaro, Mexico, achieved six additional clearances of at least 14 feet during the winter indoor season.

Pasqualetti, who set the New York state indoor record Feb. 1 by clearing 14-3 (4.34m) at the Section 1 Groundhog Classic, has achieved three 14-foot clearances this year.

Other female vaulters scheduled to compete in the elite section include Kenna Stimmel of Margaretta, Ohio, who set the national freshman class outdoor record last year by clearing 13-5 (4.08m), along with junior Erin Kelleher of Padua Academy in Delaware, who cleared 13-2 (4.01m) during the indoor season.

Although the national high school boys record won’t be challenged, the New Jersey all-time mark could be in jeopardy in the men’s elite section thanks to recent Watchung Hills Regional graduate and Arkansas State signee Bradley Jelmert.

Following 10 clearances of at least 16 feet during the indoor season, highlighted by a personal-best 16-10 (5.13m) on Jan. 18 at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev., Jelmert will take aim at the New Jersey state outdoor record of 17-4.50 (5.29m) set in 2004 by Adam Sarafian of Ocean Township.

Jelmert leads a group of five New Jersey male vaulters who have all achieved 15-foot clearances.