Nicole Pompei (NJ) 12-3

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Hanover Park's Pompei vaults to top of list
Friday, January 25, 2008
BY JIM LAMBERT
For the Star-Ledger
There aren't many athletes in the state that have performed at a higher level than Nicole Pompei of Hanover Park has over the last couple weeks.

Pompei, a junior, soared to the top of the state's pole vault rankings and into the No. 9 spot on the national list this season by clearing a Morris County record 12-3 on her final attempt last Saturday at the 13th New Balance Games in New York.

Pompei's 12-3 is tied for No. 3 in state indoor history.

Coming into the season, Pompei's personal best was 11-6 and she improved that to 11-10 prior to her big breakthrough on Saturday.

"I have gotten much drive (on her way up) and have just been more powerful," said Pompei. "Before the season my goal was to get to 12-0, so I am very surprised to be at 12-3 already. Now I'm hoping to get to 12-6."

Pompei's great vaulting continued this past Wednesday when, in a battle between three of the state's best vaulters, she made 12-0 to break the meet record and finish first at the Morris County Championships. The old record of 11-0 was set by Chrissy Finkel of Montville last year. Finkel was third at 11-6 at the county, Melissa Meggiolaro of Whippany Park was second, also at 11-6.

Pompei added a personal-best 35-1 3/4 to place fourth in the shot put, helping lead Hanover Park to its second straight title.

"To win the pole vault in Morris County you have to be at your best," Pompei said. "Having to vault the last couple years against Chrissy (Finkel), who I train with at Vertical Assault (Bath, Pa.), has forced me to work a lot harder."