Jonathan Bednarz (NY) 15-2

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http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs ... 70372/1102

Bednarz vaults his way to new heights
By Christopher Hunt
The Journal News
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(Original publication: December 17, 2006)


NEW YORK - A brief moment passed when the New Balance Armory fell silent. Expect for the faint rhythmic clap - the customary fan encouragement for field events.

Fordham Prep senior Jonathan Bednarz barreled down the pole-vault runway, pushing his breath through his teeth. He jammed his pole down - the clap quieted - and had the height. But Bednarz's chest rolled over the top of the bar, just enough to make it shake.

He brought his right hand up like he wanted to steady the bar. But he didn't need to.

Bednarz set a meet record yesterday at the Bishop Loughlin Games in 15 feet, 2 inches. He hit the mat and threw up a fist He described the feeling as "Euphoria."

If his hand touched the bar on the way down, he said didn't know it. Bednarz had a legal clearance and a personal best.

"I'm not really surprised," he said. "My coaches have been telling to expect to clear heights like this."

Bednarz said he has cleared 16 feet in practice, so when he had the chance to seal the victory at 15 he wasn't nervous. Bednarz's already ahead of where he was at this point last season, when his indoor personal best was 14-6.

The senior cleared 14-0 on his final attempt to stay in the competition and stave off Kyle Duggan of Farrell, who cleared 14-6 for second place. Bednarz vaulted 15-0 on his first attempt to seal the win.

"It was far from perfect," Bednarz said. "I had a really good plant. I just need to work on that turnover up top."

He moved the bar up to 15-6 1/4 to take a shot at the school record but clearly exhausted, he crashed into the bar on his first two tries and just missed the third.

"Everything is coming together slowly but surely," he said. "I'm right I want to be."