Vesper breaks North Penn pole vault record

Starrett+Vesper+with+his+parents+and+Coach+Jones+at+his+signing+day

Prasham Jobanputra

Starrett Vesper with his parents and Coach Jones at his signing day

BETHLEHEM- The boys indoor track team traveled to Lehigh University for a meet and some history was made as senior Starrett Vesper broke the North Penn High School winter track pole vault record by clearing the bar set a 15 feet.  The previous record was held by 2018 graduate, Bryant Durant, at 14 feet and 6 inches.

Vesper tied the record earlier this year at the first meet of the season.  But today was a hard task for Vesper with a tight event schedule.  He cleared the bar at 13 feet and then went to run the 400 meter leg of the distance medley relay.  Then Vesper returned for his next jump and missed his first two attempts at 13’6″.  He made it on his third and final attempt to continue the event.

“I was pretty tired when I came back since I had just finished running and I had a close call at 13’6″ with two misses but I made on my last attempt barely.  After a little rest, my legs started to feel good again,” Vesper explained.

Vesper, who will be going to East Carolina University to pole vault next year, then cleared 14’0″ and 14’6″ on one attempt each and up next was 15’0″ and a school record.

“Obviously the school record was in the back of my mind but I tried to just focus on my technique and what I know how to do rather then worrying about getting records,” Vesper said.

Vesper missed his first two attempts at 15-feet before clearing it on his third and final try.

“Having the school record means a lot to me since it’s something I’ve been striving for the past four years and at first, I didn’t even know if it would be possible, but now that I’m here and I’ve finally done it, it feels good.  However, this is only the beginning and I’ve got work to do to my accomplish my goals for this year,” Vesper stated.