Finkel, Pompei Give Penn Relays NJ Flavor

By Jane Havsy • Daily Record • April 25, 2008

PHILADELPHIA -- Nicole Pompei squeezed Chrissy Finkel's arm so tightly, "it almost fell off." Only four competitors remained in the Penn Relays Championship of America pole vault, including both of them. It ensured Pompei of a medal, and the top-six finish she desired.

Finkel placed third overall on Thursday afternoon, with Pompei fourth. Both cleared 12 feet, as did second-place finisher Victoria Worthen of Council Rock South in Holland, Pa. The final order was determined by misses.

Not bad for what both Nicole and her mother, Lori Pompei, thought would be a disappointing day at Franklin Field.

"I started jumping on my seven (step approach), which I haven't since nationals," said Nicole Pompei, a Hanover Park junior "The first couple of jumps didn't click, but by around 11-4, it started feeling really good. They felt natural again, which they haven't in forever."

Abigail Schaffer of Easton (Pa.) Area defended her pole vault title, shattering the Penn Relays record by clearing 13-3/4. All four of the top finishers train together at Vertical Assault in Bath, Pa.

Whippany Park senior Melissa Meggiolaro cleared 10-11 on Thursday at Penn Relays.

Finkel, a Montville junior, was hoping to top 12-9 and qualify for Junior Olympics. But even though her final attempt at 12-4 was technically her best of the day, she "blew out the pole," and couldn't get enough leverage to get over the bar.

"It's definitely different," said Finkel, who set the Morris County record of 12-4 ½ at Penn last year. "Last year, I came in ranked eighth, thinking there's no way I'm going to place so I might as well go all out and see what happens. As long as I cleared my height, I didn't care where I placed. It was the opposite this time. I almost would've rather cleared the height and not placed."

Pompei joins Finkel on the list of just nine New Jersey girls who have cleared 12 feet. It stands as the fifth-best mark in the state all-time, and Pompei's new outdoor personal best. Pompei has not approached that height since clearing 12-3 at the New Balance Games in January.

"My biggest fear was (a chronic back problem and recent shoulder injury) would stop her from jumping well, but she pulled through like a trouper," said Lori Pompei, who drove 280 miles back from Keuka Lake, N.Y., on Wednesday then to Philadelphia on Thursday morning to watch the competition.

"In her heart, she wanted it. I was just worried her injuries would make her physically not capable of doing it."