Deptford’s Marcus Hood smashes Gloucester County pole vault record with #3 jump in South Jersey history and top-10 finish at West Philly Nationals!!!!!!!!

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Deptford senior Marcus Hood broke the Gloucester County pole vault record Sunday at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field.

Hood cleared 15-9 on his 1st attempt, breaking the county outdoor mark of 15-7 set by Delsea’s Marco Morales at the 2019 Tri-County Conference Championships at Delsea.

His clearance is 3rd-best in South Jersey history, behind Bob Green of Haddon Heights [16-0 at the 1992 South Jersey Invitational at Eastern] and Ryan Merlino of Oakcrest [16-0 at 2024 Meet of Champions at Pennsauken]. It’s also No. 17 in state history.

Marco Morales still holds the overall Gloucester County record with an indoor 16-0 clearance at a South Jersey Track Coaches Association meet at Ocean Breeze in February 2020.

Hood cleared 15-6 twice indoors – once at the Ott Center, once at the Bubble – and had three 15-6 clearances this spring. He won the state Group 3 title at 15-0 and placed 4th in the Meet of Champions at 15-0.

On Sunday, he cleared 14-7 ¼ on his 1st attempt, 15-3 on his 2nd try and 15-9 on his 1st. He missed three tries at 16-0 ¾ and placed 9th overall and 1st among New Jersey vaulters.

Two  other South Jersey vaulters cleared 14-7 ¼ Sunday –  senior Ed Frey of Cinnaminson and senior Jacob George of Haddon Township.

All-Time South Jersey Pole Vault List
16-0 … Bob Green [Haddon Heights], 1992
16-0 … Ryan Merlino [Oakcrest], 2024
15-9 … Marcus Hood [Deptford], 2025
15-7 … Brandon Kurtz [Absegami], 1991
15-7 … Nico Morales [Delsea], 2019
15-6 … Marco Morales [Delsea], 2020
15-6 … Dylan Altland [Kingsway], 2014
15-6 … Ed Frey [Cinnaminson], 2025
15-5 … Mike Davis [Haddonfield], 2004
15-5 … Devon Purves [Haddonfield], 2006
15-4 … Jason King [Lenape], 1993
15-3 ¼ … Dan Lamp [Willingboro], 1977
15-3 … Henry Cifaloglio [Delsea], 2025
15-3 … Jacob George [Haddon Twp.], 2025
15-2 … Dan Batdorf [West Deptford], 2008
15-0 ¼ … Mike Hulme [Eastern], 2003
15-0 … Josh Moline [Gateway], 2000
15-0 … Mike Rivard [Haddonfield], 2010
15-0 … Daniel Couse [Clearview], 2023
15-0 … Mike Maira [Seneca], 2010
15-0 … Michael Hulme [Eastern], 2003
15-0 … David Murname [West Deptford], 2000
15-0 … James Lynch [Deptford], 2019
15-0 … Noah Kriesman [Cherry Hill East], 2022

All-Time New Jersey Outdoor Pole Vault List
17-4 ½ … Adam Sarafian [Ocean Township], 2004
16-6 ½ … Brian O’Sullivan [Hillsborough], 2023
16-6 … Craig Hunter [Robbinsville], 2013
16-5 … Cade Zeolla [West Morris Central], 2025
16-4 ¾ … Brian McSweeney [East Brunswick], 2021
16-4 … Will Nesbitt [Millburn], 1980
16-3 … Bradley Jelmert [Watchung Hills], 2020
16-3 … Owen Keating [Pompton Lakes], 2025
16-1 ¼ … Bill Hartley [Southern Regional], 1976
16-1 … Eric Richard [Bridgewater East], 1981
16-1 … Jordan Pacheco [Morris Hills], 2013
16-0 ¼ … Peter Fagan [Westfield], 2013
16-0 … Andrew Ghizzone [Union Catholic], 2014
16-0 … Kevin O’Sullivan [Hillsborough], 2022
16-0 … Max Zuckerman [Pascack Hills], 2022
16-0 … Ryan Merlino [Oakcrest], 2024
15-9 … Marcus Hood [Deptford], 2025
15-8 … Cade Zeolla [West Morris Central], 2024

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