Anthony Napolitano Article (FL)

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http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGB5HHIC87E.html

Prepared For Liftoff

By IZZY GOULD igould@tampatrib.com
Published: Apr 7, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - His jump begins with the precise measurement of 84 feet, 4 inches.

Anthony Napolitano is all about length and weight.

Both elements could end the Mitchell senior's bid for a state berth in the pole vault.

They could lead to a catastrophic spill, or help launch him to the medal stand.

Napolitano hopes the right combination, in addition to his strength and technique, will vault him to supremacy beginning today at the Sunshine Athletic Conference Championships at Pasco.

He'll use a new pole for the first time to thrust him up and hopefully over his personal- best effort of 12-6.

``His new pole can probably help him get higher,'' Mitchell coach Jackie Wachtel said. ``He really adapts well and has been doing it for so long.''

Napolitano vaulted for the first time on his new pole Wednesday afternoon.

It's the same weight as his previous pole, but more than a foot longer at 14-6.

The first few times, he says, will feel weird.

He'll race down the runway. His left foot will hit the asphalt seven times. He'll plant his pole.

His body and strength will drive the pole to bend. He'll rock back and forth. Before the eye can clean its lens, Napolitano will either be cleanly over the bar, or on his back in a foam pit trying to avoid its punishment.

A vault of more than 13 feet will justify the pole's cost of more than $400.

Napolitano said he thinks a vault of more than 13 feet is the prime number for earning a Class 3A state berth.

Last week at the Suncoast Relays, Napolitano waited for hours before he matched his personal best of 12-6 for first place. Regardless of the tinkering and adjustments he made, he could not clear 13 feet.

Something always seems to hold him back. This year, it was waiting on the arrival of a new pole. Last year, it was his weight.

He failed to make weight for the regional meet. His pole was rated at 155 pounds, and he weighed in at 160.

To meet Florida High School Athletic Association standards, Napolitano had to lose five pounds to make weight.

``I lost six pounds,'' Napolitano said. ``I had to run and lose weight. I was jogging around, sweating. I couldn't eat the night before or in the morning. I was so tired. I knew it was going to be the worst day.''

Weight hasn't been an issue for the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder this year, and he doesn't anticipate it will be.

He has worked tirelessly to improve every aspect of his vault.

He has made the 84-4 run countless times, especially on Saturdays.

The only other threat is his competition.

One of the closest competitors is Gulf junior Jason DeBeaumont, who has worked feverishly to top Napolitano. It has been DeBeaumont's main source of motivation.

He knew Napolitano's top vault, worked on reaching it in practice and matched it. But he fell short in the Suncoast Relays.

``I was all excited,'' DeBeaumont said. ``I was going to do this and take Nap, finally. But after that last jump [at 11-6] I knew it was horrible before I took it. I just wasn't there.''

DeBeaumont believes next year is his year to rule Pasco County.

But this is it for Napolitano. He hopes to continue vaulting in college, but has no definitive plans.

``If I can get my jump I'll feel great,'' Napolitano said. ``I just hope I can get it.''


Reporter Izzy Gould can be reached at (813) 948-4203.