Erica Sergeant didn't need steep competition to push her to new heights in the pole vault. New heights meant breaking a state record that stood since 2001. Sergeant, a class of 2014 graduate from Lake Mary High School and Kennesaw State signee soared over 13 feet for the third time this season and on the third try went over the bar set at 13'2.25". The mark was the highest any Sunshine State vaulter has ever gone, a half an inch farther than Cardinal Mooney/FSU alumni and 2012 Olympian Lacy Jansen (13'1.75"). She says the AAU qualifier meet at Bishop Snyder in Jacksonville was a calm meet, but it took her several clearances to finally hit that magic number.
"There were few girls so the competition went by decently quickly. I usually come in at 11 feet 6 inches but since I knew that clearing 11 feet would qualify me for nationals so I decided to come in at 11 and then skip to 12. When I got to 12 feet as only one left in the competition, I went from 12 feet (cleared on first attempt) to 12 feet 7 inches ( took 3 attempts ) then to 13'2.25" ( it took 3 appempts) I was blowing through my poles so I had to adjust my standards a lot and change my grip on my poles. I ended at 13'2.25" and decided not to go for anything else because I wanted to end on a good note and because I was late to a graduation dinner my church was hosting."
Sergeant, a three time state champion, describes her senior season as one with ups and downs, but says she is so grateful for the positives like clearing 13 feet and 12'11" twice. The thought of having the all-time state best is just sinking in and to follow in the footsteps of someone like Lacy Jansen is a very exciting notion for the future of her career.
"I knew it was the all-time best when I cleared it and I was so relieved. I'm so happy I finally got it because I've cleared it at practice so I'm just hopin to get higher, to set that record higher. Knowing that an Olympian like Lacy had the record before me makes me think if such a great vaulter became what she is today then what's in the cards for me?"
Next up for Sergeant are the AAU Club Nationals this weekend at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando where she is hoping the cards have a jump of 13'6" or better and the shot at a possible national record.
Watch The Vault! (State Record - 13'2.25")
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