Angelica Nardi and Melissa Gale Article (NJ)

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http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/index. ... ml&coll=10

Development of Nardi complemented Gale in vault
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
As a freshman, Angelica Nardi developed enough to be a solid complement to teammate Melissa Gale in the pole vault.

The Millville duo were good enough to be among the best in every relay competition. However, both pole vaulters have literally reached new heights since they first began competing.

Nardi is more than a complement now. With her progression and Gale's steadiness, the tandem is now arguably the best in the state. They are definitely the best in Group IV.

On Saturday, Nardi and Gale won gold in the NJSIAA Group IV relay championships at Princeton.

"I though if we worked at it we would do well but it would be hard to get first," said Gale. "We thought we definitely can get in the top-3."

They did get first. Gale, the senior, hit 10-feet, a disappointing result for her, but still good enough to put the Bolts in a good position. It took a few attempts at 8-0, but Nardi continued to raise the bar. She finally topped out at 9-6, a personal-best, to capture gold.

"I was extremely happy," said Nardi. "I was very surprised with myself. I got it on my first attempt. That was exciting for me."

"Her jump was tremendous," said Gale. "She came through when she needed to. She went to a bigger pole and in her first attempt with that pole she made it."

The two have been working together and with Melissa's father, Dan Gale, for three years as well at a training center in Mt. Laurel.

All those hours have paid off for both athletes. Gale has been consistently hitting around 10-feet despite battling a knee injury the past two years. However, the Millville senior expects to increase her height this season or in the spring.

"I wasn't happy at all," said Gale, about 10-0. "I think I can get 11-6 or 12-0. My best jump has been a 10-6."

A at the county championships last spring, Nardi jumped a 9-0. At the last two Cape-Atlantic League meets in the spring, Nardi hit 8-6 in 2005 and 7-6 in 2004. Her progress has been a steady climb.

"It's amazing because she is a creative kid and she does so much other than just the pole vault," said Millville winter track coach Bill Hoover. "She's in to all kinds of stuff and is a well rounded kid, but she has really committed herself in the pole vault. Her and Gale have goals and she gets better every meet. Her form looked real good Saturday night."

That is a direct result to the coaching of Dan Gale and the hours spent two nights a week in Mt. Laurel.

"It definitely pays off," said Nardi. "Our coach Mr. Gale has a plan set up for us each day and it always has something to do with vaulting. We do the drills we complain about, but they do work and it pays off. All my hard work is paying off."

It also helps that the duo are close friends and make sure one another compete and work at optimum levels.

Gale helped Nardi along in those early days and continues to be somewhat of a mentor.

"Some people work as partners for a season or half a season," said Gale. "Others just try to get partners to jump in relays. We have been able to work together for three years and we've been able to push each other at (events)."

"I think it helps a lot because Melissa and Gelly feed off each other," said the elder Gale. "They knew it was their last shot for the state relay. They have been together for three years now. I think Melissa was more excited about her hitting 9-6 than Gelly was."

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE: When Gale graduates this June, it won't necessarily mean the end of medals in the pole vault.

Millville has an athlete waiting in the wings. Freshman Tiffany Beebe is training with the upperclassmen and has the potential to fill in next season.

"I can't say enough about what Dan Gale has done to help us," said Hoover. "Tiffany Beebe is already at eight feet as a freshman. That is exceptional. She is really into it and when Melissa Gale graduates we will still have a nice relay. Dan has done a great job helping all three kids.

"It's not always easy to coach your own kid, but he has balanced it out. He is well respected for his knowledge. He encourages and supports but he is also demanding."

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http://www.nj.com/sports/bridgeton/inde ... ml&coll=10

Bolts girls snag pole vault; boys win 4x200
Monday, April 03, 2006
By ANTHONY BELLANO
Staff Writer
BUENA VISTA TWP. -- Last year at this time, she was on the sidelines watching.

A car accident the day of the event prevented Millville High School senior Melissa Gale from participating in last year's Buena Relays. So when the officials told Gale and teammate Angelica Nardi that they had to stop because they were past the time the pole vault was supposed to have concluded at the first event of the 2006 track and field season Saturday, Gale was understandably upset.

After all, she was only able to reach 9-foot-6 in the Thunderbolts duo's victory. The two leapt a combined 15-8.

"It was over when we both cleared 9 feet," said Nardi, a junior. "Everyone else went out at nine."

"We were supposed to be done at 12 and it was 12:40," said Gale, who is a senior. "I was a little mad. It was a nice day and we never get a nice day at Buena."

It might be better that the officials made them stop when they did. An hour after the officials put an end to the competition, the skies opened up and rain covered the event. Thunder could be heard, but it soon passed and the rest of the meet went on uninterrupted.

"I was just excited to jump," Gale said. "I'm glad we won because it's our last Buena Relays together."

The two have been partners for the last three years. They won at the Buena Relays two years ago, but neither competed following Gale's accident last year.

"We love competing together," Nardi said. "This means a lot since it is Mel's senior year. This made up for last year. This meant a lot to be together one last time and just have fun."

They have one last relay season together, actually, but they both work at Summertime Pool and Spa, meaning they're actually together most of the time. The only time they're apart is in the fall when Nardi plays field hockey and Gale trains exclusively to compete in the pole vault.

"We just like to see each other do well," Gale said.

Added Nardi: "We just enjoy our time together.".