Sean Gil (PA) 16-0

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06117/685180-49.stm

PG North: These are high times for North Allegheny pole vaulter Gil

Thursday, April 27, 2006

By Rich Emert, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


After knocking the bar off on his first two attempts at 16 feet in the pole vault, Sean Gil came up with an easy solution to his problem -- he simply went so high that his poor technique didn't matter.

Lake Fong, Post-Gazette
Sean Gil, a junior at North Allegheny High School, set the school record in the pole vault last week, clearing 16 feet and will compete at the Penn Relays Saturday at Franklin Field in Philadelphia
Click photo for larger image.

The result was a North Allegheny High School record in the event.

A junior, Gil broke the record of 15-7 set by Rob Hepple in 1991. Gil took a couple of tries at 16-3 in the dual meet against Seneca Valley nine days ago, but when he missed the landing pit on his second attempt, he called it quits.

It probably wouldn't have taken Gil three attempts to clear 16-0 had he realized he wasn't throwing his left arm over the bar the way he's supposed to. That fact didn't come to light until he went home after the meet and looked at the videotape of his vaults.

"I had my left arm tucked into my body and that's what I was hitting the bar with," Gil said. "I just didn't realize it. I went over because I just went high enough that it didn't make a difference."

Gil is arguably the top pole vaulter in the WPIAL this season. The only one who has posted a vault close to his is Laurel Highlands' Jeren Jordon, who has cleared 15-9. Gil -- who placed fifth in WPIAL Class AAA last year -- won the event at the Butler Invitational Friday, clearing 14-0 on his only attempt. The pole vault was shortened when the weather turned ugly.

He hopes conditions will be favorable Saturday in Philadelphia when he competes at the Penn Relays. He is one of five individuals and a relay team that North Allegheny is taking to the prestigious event that gets under way today at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field.

"This is the first year we're taking a group to the Penn Relays and we're excited about it," North Allegheny coach John Neff said. "It'll be a great experience for the athletes who are going to compete against some of the top individuals and teams in the country."

Other North Allegheny athletes who will compete are junior Garrett Larkin in the shot put and senior Adam Hambrick in the discus.

Several female athletes will also make the trip: junior Sydney Schwab in the girls' javelin; junior Jade Hambrick in the discus; and the girls' 1,600-meter relay of seniors Michelle Diaz and Lindsay Appel, junior Kelly Langhans and freshman Dakota McCoy.

Gil said he enjoys competing in an electric atmosphere and believes he could place in the top three.

"If I jump to my potential, I should be right there," he said. "Absolutely, I'm excited and I'm looking forward to it."

Gil said he was able to clear 16-0 because it was the first meet when weather cooperated. He knew early in the meet he had a chance at the record.

"You can usually tell [if it's going to be a good night] on the first attempt," he said. "When everything is going right, you just feel faster, stronger, taller."

The next plateau for Gil is 17-0. In order to reach that height, he will have to use a longer pole.

That isn't as easy as it sounds and Gil is the first to point out the risks increase along with the height.

"I'll be going out [to the Penn Relays] Friday," said Gil, who is considering continuing his education and vaulting at a Big Ten or PAC-10 school.

"I'm hoping to get out there early enough to see some of the other guys compete."

[vault3rb0y]

anyone know the pole he was using for that?

[NeenoPV]

I love Sean Gil, he's such a great guy. *not gay* haha, he's such a great vaulter and a down to earth guy.

[nitro]

I love Sean Gil, he's such a great guy. *not gay* haha, he's such a great vaulter and a down to earth guy.

he is a great guy and im glad hes doin well

[SlickVT]

Pretty sure that original post is from last spring...

[nitro]

o.......didnt look at the date

[vault3rb0y]

lol me either... i was just adding another one to the list of juniors (and 1 soph, you corey) that are 16+ this year .