Eric Hutchinson article (NJ)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.nj.com/sports/sunbeam/index. ... xml&coll=9

Hutchinson claims state pole vault title
Sunday, June 04, 2006
By Rob Callaway
gcsports@sjnewsco.com
EGG HARBOR TWP. -- Eric Hutchinson was already one of the toughest pole vaulters in South Jersey. Now he can boast that he's one of the best.

The Pennsville Memorial High School junior became a state champion Saturday with his win in the Group I pole vault as the NJSIAA Track and Field Group Championships concluded in soggy conditions at Egg Harbor Township's Silver Eagle Stadium.


Hutchinson and junior teammate Ryan Caimi went 1-2 in the event to score 18 points as the Eagles stayed in contention for their first-ever state team championship right up until the latter stages of the meet.

In the end, Metuchen broke a 34-34 tie by winning the 4x400 relay to finish with 44 points for a 10-point margin of victory over Pennsville.

"It was fun, but we knew coming down to the end that Metuchen had that relay team," Pennsville coach John Maniglia said.

Hutchinson matched his personal best by clearing 13 feet in the pole vault, and Caimi also matched his best by clearing 12-6 for second place.

"Those two guys are the best of friends -- they practice together all the time and it was neat because (Caimi) said, 'I don't care who wins, as long as we go 1-2' and Eric said the same thing," Maniglia said. "(Assistant) Justin Lanyon has worked with our vaulters the last two years and does a great job."

"I'm more concerned about my fights, but since I won at Tri-County I've tried to practice hard (in the pole vault)," Hutchinson said. "After I cleared 13 feet I said, 'I can do this.'"

Hutchinson describes MMA fighting as "any style you want to fight -- you can slam, elbow, knee punch, choke, submit -- anything goes."

He won a title in the lightweight division last October at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, needing just 26 seconds to register a knockout of his opponent. Maniglia said Hutchinson's fight conditioning might be a contributing factor to his vaulting success.

"He works out harder than any kid we have," Maniglia said. "Physically, he's in tip-top shape. I wouldn't want to mess with him."

Caimi, meanwhile, had no complaints about his second-place finish. He took fourth at states a year ago.

"We're not rivals at all, so it was a great feeling to be in that position," Caimi said. "We knew going 1-2 would help the team out a lot."

When the pole vault ended, the Eagles owned a three-point lead over Highland Park with five events still remaining.

"I said to (PA announcer) John Vogeding, 'Can we stop the meet right now and go home?'" Maniglia joked. Eventually, Pennsville and Metuchen settled into a 34-34 tie with just the shot put and relay to be contested.