Christy DiMichele and Vanessa Munley are friends and rivals in the pole vault

 

 

BY JOBY FAWCETT (STAFF WRITER)
Published: May 16, 2010
Scranton Times-Tribune

Soaring high into the sky, the friends and rivals are getting ready to battle in the pole vault one more time at the District 2 Class AA track and field championships.

Last week, DiMichele, a junior from Montrose reclaimed her Robert Spagna title, which Munley held for a season. Earlier this spring, Munley, a junior at Riverside, handed DiMichele a loss in their dual meet.

Both have cleared 11 feet or better, setting up what could be a dramatic competition in Class AA on Monday at Scranton Memorial Stadium.

"She's always so nice to me," Munley said. "When we had our meet, I cleared 11 (feet) and she jumped 10, but she was so happy and she gave me a hug.

"I always hope for the best for her, but I also want to win."

A fierce competitor, DiMichele also enjoys their camaraderie, but winning is always the goal.

"It's kind of cool because we are friends," DiMichele said. "When it comes to the competition, we cheer each other on, but we both want to win."

Falling for the vault

At a young age, DiMichele caused great anxiety for her parents by scaling large trees.

"I kind of liked being up in the air," DiMichele said. "I scared my parents really bad when I would climb trees."

That fearlessness, combined with the encouragement of her brother Cory Poepperling, an All-Region pole vaulter, DiMichele got involved in the event that requires, strength, speed, agility and power.

She was a quick study and the results quickly followed. She won the District 2 Class AA gold medal as a freshman, clearing 9-6.

Munley, who is an accomplished Level 10 gymnast, also adapted quickly to the pole vault.

"At gymnastics practice, one of the coaches told me about pole vaulting, they kind of go hand-in-hand," Munley said. "I wanted to try it and I got pretty good at it, and now I love it.

"I love heights. I love roller coasters and I love flying."

As a freshman at Holy Cross, which did not have a pole vault practice facility, Munley cleared 9-0 in 2008 to finish second behind DiMichele at the district meet.

And the friendly rivalry was born.

Up, up and away

As a sophomore, Munley, who transferred to Riverside, put in a lot of time at summer invitationals.

Working hard on her speed and strength at gymnastics also paid dividends. The ability to fine tune her techniques in practice resulted in a big leap in her performances.

Soon, she was soaring over 11 feet to set a District 2 Class AA record.

"It's an awesome feeling when you are up there," Munley said. "After the pole really bends and it flings you, it's almost like you are flying."

While Munley improved, DiMichele hit a block.

Not working at the event in the offseason, and staring at that crossbar up at 10 feet, caused her to freeze a bit.

It left DiMichele finishing third at 9-6, behind Munley and Lakeland's Regina Ryan.

"I didn't practice over the summer or the winters, so I lost all of my skills from the season," DiMichele said. "The whole thing with 10 feet was I just couldn't get over it in competition. I got psyched out a little bit, and I start jumping differently."

A week after districts, Munley grabbed a PIAA medal, finishing in a tie for third at 10-6.

"I knew after I got third last year, I had two more years left and I would have to pick up my game," Munley said.

That's just what she did.

Still climbing

Taking a page from Munley's offseason regimen, DiMichele began going to Vertical Assault in Allentown, a haven for the state's very best, and was consulted by coach Mike Lawryck.

Training together with Munley, a friendship blossomed.

But first and foremost, DiMichele, 16, overcame her block, and set a school record this spring, clearing 11 feet.

"I wanted to go and see what was wrong," DiMichele said. "Once I got my techniques straight and my confidence up, I shot right up to 11 feet."

During the spring, Munley, 17, continued to succeed and improve, breaking her own school record, clearing 11-3.

"That was my highest and I finally did it," Munley said. "Now I consistently jump 11 feet, when the weather is good.

"I am shooting for 12."

Last year, Bermudian Springs junior Georgia Williams won the gold at the state championships at 11 feet. The state qualifying standard is 10-3.

Those numbers have both DiMichele and Munley shooting for gold at districts.

"I care about getting my personal records," DiMichele said. "I just want to qualify for states. I'm focused on what I have to do."

And they will likely push each other to new heights.

"To have someone push you is really great," Munley said.

Great for the sport.