What a day for Audubon sophomore Leo Davis. He not only PR’d at 13 feet, he won his first state pole vault title.
Davis cleared 13-0 to win the state Group 1 pole vault title at the Bubble. That’s the best mark by a South Jersey sophomore in six years, since Delsea’s Nico Morales cleared 14-0 at the Bubble in 2017 and the top mark by a Camden County sophomore indoors since Cherry Hill East’s Remy Kahn cleared 13-6 at the Bubble in 2010.
Davis cleared 11-0 last spring as a first-time vaulter – his 5th-place tie at states gave Audubon the winning points over Saddle Brook – and then PR’d at 12-0 in the first indoor meet of his life back in December at the Bubble. He improved to 12-6 at the state relays before his breakthrough at states on Saturday.
The only South Jersey vaulter to go higher than Davis this winter is Oakcrest junior Ryan Merlino, who cleared 14-3 in January and was 2nd in the state Group 4 meet Saturday at 14-0. He lost on misses to Nathan Park of Old Tappan, Merlino’s first loss this year. Willingboro’s Jackson Murry has also cleared 13-0 this winter.
Davis is tied for the No. 10 seed going into next month’s Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze. The only other sophomore to clear 13-0 at states was Matthew Herbert of Newark Academy in Livingston, who won the Parochial B title.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 
Hey Reuben, thanks for the shout out on Leo. His grandfather is Tom Davis who is now volunteering with our coaching staff. Tom is well known in the PV community and has been great with our vaulters. Pretty cool having your grandpop in the coach’s box. FYI, Leo has been nursing a groin injury since just before sectionals. If it clears up for MOC, he may have a little more in him before we get outside!!! Coach Pugliese
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s really cool! That’s rare having a sophomore do so well in such a technical event. Will look forward to seeing what he does the rest of indoors and then this spring!
LikeLike