Tori Anthony Article (CA)

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http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryn ... 300865.htm

Former gymnast scales new heights

CASTILLEJA'S ANTHONY LEARNS FAST AT POLE VAULT

By David Kiefer

Mercury News




In the ninth season of girls pole vaulting in the Central Coast Section, there continues to be no end to the possibilities.


In an indication that girls are far from reaching a plateau, Castilleja sophomore Tori Anthony improved on her personal best by a foot and a half Saturday to win the St. Francis Carnival in a meet record of 12 feet.


Anthony is indicative of a trend in the CCS: a former high-level gymnast turning to pole vault, an event that takes advantage of the strength, agility and acrobatics of gymnastics.


With a little coaching, skills from gymnastics translate well. Anthony has shown why. After 10 years in that sport, rising to Level 9 on a scale of 10, Anthony turned to track in mid-October.


After just 4 1/2 months in pole vaulting and in her fourth meet, Anthony found herself attempting a CCS-record of 12-6.


Anthony failed three times, with a solid try on her second attempt, but she led a solid showing, with four vaulters clearing 10-0, including three over 11-0. In 1997, at the first CCS girls final, the winning jump was 10-6.


``She's been jumping unbelievably well in practice, but I've been holding her back because she's so new,'' said her coach, former Leland High and UCLA standout Scott Slover.


The pole vault was expected to be a featured event because of St. Francis' quality and depth, and the competitions did not disappoint.


Among the boys, St. Francis sophomore Casey Roche won a duel with Mater Dei junior Greg Woepse, son of former San Jose State standout of the same name. Both cleared 15-0, but Roche was perfect through that height and won on fewer misses.


He nearly matched his personal record and meet record 15-6, but nicked the bar with his upper body on two attempts. Other highlights: