Steve Lewis 5.51

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http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/conten ... 3A32%3A883

Happy new year for leaping Lewis


24 January 2007


STEVE LEWIS: Has made the best start possible to the new year.
STEVE Lewis has made the best start possible to the new year after twice breaking his pole vault personal best, writes LUKE WILSON.

The Newham & Essex Beagles star commenced the indoor season in very familiar surroundings indeed, vaulting to victory at the Loughborough Indoor Meeting with a clearance of 5.51m that beat his previous mark by one centimetre.

This mark was the one he set in winning what many considered to be a surprise bronze medal at last year's Commonwealth Games but for Lewis, the best was yet to come.

Competing for his native Sheffield at the UK Indoor City Challenge at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on Sunday, the 20-year-old cleared 5.55m for the first time in his fledgling career, easily taking maximum points for his team.

Lewis then went up to 5.61m and after two failures at the height, approached his third attempt with his habitual determination and was a hair's breadth away from a successful clearance.

His rapid improvement already this season certainly bodes well for his desire to qualify for the European Indoor Championships in Birmingham in March.

The elite qualifying height for the event stands at 5.65m but Lewis is in positive mood regarding his chances of competing on the big stage in front of a home crowd

"I'm getting there," said the British number one.

"I just need to get my timing right. Once I do that, I'm confident I can clear 5.65."