Abby Petersen 11-0 (CT)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.courant.com/sports/highschoo ... highschool

Simsbury senior Abby Petersen cleared 11 feet to tie the state record in the girls pole vault. Four other meet records were set by girls, three by Weaver. No boys records were set.

"[Petersen has] always had a powerful run and her plant she has just gotten down," said Simsbury boys coach Mike Cohen, who works with all Simsbury pole vaulters and high jumpers. "She did well today finishing off. Her push-and-twist phase was better today.

"The run is 75 percent of the pole vault. When she believes she can do it, she can do it. I think she has a 12-foot vault in her."

Petersen, who will attend the University of Vermont, set her previous personal best at 10-7 in a meet at Rockville April 4. "This was the first meet this year where I had someone to pole vault with me," said Petersen, who won Class L last year at 10-0. Petersen was pushed by State Open champion Avery Ringquist of Hall, who was runner-up at 9-6.

Petersen worked on her techniques with Airtime Athletics outside Boston last summer. She said her goal for the season was 12 feet, with her sights on 12-6 during the summer.

[Russ]

Abby is a terrific young lady. She worked really hard all winter to get ready.