Finkel, Pompei golden

BY BRENDAN KUTY
DAILY RECORD
Saturday, February 9, 2008

TOMS RIVER -- Every Sunday, Hanover Park's Nicole Pompei and Chrissy Finkel of Montville endure an hour-long trek to Vertical Assault in Pennsylvania to train with some of the nation's best pole vault instructors.

On Friday night, the friends put on a clinic of their own.

Pompei and Finkel each hit 12-feet at the Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River. The mark was good enough to award Pompei with gold in North 2, Group II and Finkel with a first-place finish in North 1, Group II.

Finkel, last year's indoor state champion, was at the top of her game. The junior entered at 10-6 and didn't miss an attempt until 12-0, where she nailed the height on her second try, establishing a new indoor personal best.

"I've been trying to get 12 for a really long time," said Finkel, whose previous best mark was the 11-10 she jumped at the State Relay Championships.

Pompei, also a junior, was equally impressive. She persevered through two misses at 12-feet to finally nail the mark on her final attempt.

Hornets head coach Ryan MacNaughton noted her switch to a bigger pole as the key ingredient to Pompei's success.

"She's fast and strong," he said. "It helps to get on a bigger pole. If you can get on bigger poles, you'll jump higher."

After securing their individual titles, the girls decided to attempt 12-4. And even though neither could clear the mark, both Finkel and Pompei said they enjoyed competing alongside one another in a pressure-free environment.

"It's good to jump with Chrissy," Pompei said. "We both work really hard."

Bianca Reo took second in behind Finkel. The Parsippany senior, who's only other pole vault action this season came on Jan. 4 at the Iron Hills Conference Championships, soared 10-6 on her second try. Reo missed three weeks due to a strained left foot before being medically cleared on Wednesday.