“BIG ~ CIRCUS ~ AIR” Weekend —- DANE SORENSEN 15′ 9″ … LIAM LANDAU 15′ 6″ … ALVA SUNDIN … 13′ 1.75″ !!!
The Hudson Valley Flying Circus Pole Vault Project, LLC
Warwick Valley, NY
“KEEP the LIGHT BURNING….” ~~ Bruce Springsteen
CONGRATULATIONS to ALL ATHLETES who competed this past weekend of the CHAMPIONSHIP POLE VAULT SEASON. Many new stories and many wonderful experiences were shared by you all the past four months together here at Flying Circus Central. Your efforts do not go un-noticed and your spirit to reach for your very best has been inspiring to all our staff and all your parents. It’s now a short recovery period and then… time to RESET your GOALS for our up-coming Spring Track & Field adventure. THANK YOU for everything this Indoor. “KEEP the LIGHT BURNING…” !!
The weekend kicked off Friday night at little Houghton College in up-state New York…with the SUNYAC Indoor Track and Field League Championships. Cortland State University freshman…Dane Sorensen(Warwick Valley,NY) continued his success story this season …by winning the Conference Pole Vault title with his 15′ 9″ (4.80m) leap for Head Coach Steve Patrick and Dr.Peter McGinnis. Clearing every bar on his first attempt sealed the deal and had super bars at 16′ 1″!!! Up at Harvard University Ivy League Championships.. Former Circus star..Julia Valenti of Dartmouth won the Vault Gold with her 12′ 10 sail…. and UPENN freshman..Abby Norwillo came thru with a seasonal best 12′ 10″ for 4th place points..as the UPENN WOMEN won again the team title for Head Coach Steve Dolan/Joe Klim!!!!
The New Jersey Meet of Champions–Toms River,NJ ~~~ There is joy in Pascack Hills, New Jersey!!!! Senior Multi-Athlete/Pole Vaulter won his first Meet of Champions Pole Vault title for Coach Ross Koehler Cowboys with a clean 15′ 6″ first attempt and then close at 16′ 0″ on his new pole… on to Nationals!!! Placing high(4th) was Union Catholic junior ..Conor reilly at 15′ 0″ and Callum Howald(Columbia) at 13′ 6″. The Girls were lead by Northern Valley-Old Tappan–junior..Marisa DiGia coached by Jeff Clark/Alex Eckemeyer, with a big 12′ 0″ for the silver medal. Matawan senior-Mue Carroll was solid over 11′ 0″…Jamie Rossig(Pascack Hills) tied her School Record at 11′ 0″… Hope Handlin(Union Catholic) also tied her School ecord at 11′ 0″ .. Irene Park(Pequennock) 10′ 6″. Down at Penn State Indoor Champs… Dani Heine(Abington Heights) sailed 11′ 0″ and heads to Nationals EE with more in the tank.
SWEDISH JR. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS- Stockholm,Sweden ~~~ SHE DID IT !!!!! Adopted Flying Circus Swedish Jr. star..Alva Sundin…coached by the legendary pole vault champion.. Carl Alm… is now Sweden’s NATIONAL JR> POLE VAULT CHAMPION. The humble Alva used her 14′ 1 x 150 UCS Spirit to produce a seasonal best 13′ 1.75″ to win on her final jump of the meet. This two-time NYRR Millrose Games junior will be back for her final Jr. NYRR Millrose Games next year!!!!! It’s another ..Never-Give-Up Story !!! Congratulations Carl and Alva from Flying Circus!!!
“BIG PURPLE” Pentathlon Meet @ Armory—- Dalton Yeust (junior) from Tunkhannock Area ,PA is a determined and dedicated pole vaulter with a dream. Dalton won his first Armory Gold Pole Vault Medal with a sensational clear of 14′ 4″ for Coach Clayton Yeust. He also brushed off 14′ 10″ for a national spot… but returns to his backyard pit this spring for more work. Tommy Qualter(CS) went big also at 14′ 4″ sB..Chris Filatov(Nanuet) 13′ 10″…Mike Alteri(Somers) 13′ 4″ Ron O(Nanuet) 12′ 4″ Jeremy Frank(Arlington) 11′ 4″. The girls winner was Emily Heese(Somers) at 9′ 6″ Hannah Solomon-Hollander(Suffern) 9′ 6″ Kristen Kolarik)Arlington) 9′ 0″.
SECTION ( STATE QUALS_West Point,NY ~~~ Washingtonville,NY junior…Nick Mirecki, coached by Stephanie Duffy .. came out of his cave with a sensational personal best and school record .. 14′ 0″ and close bars at 14′ 6″ for the Wizards. Nick Villanueva(Monroe-Woodbury) cleared 14′ 0″ for Coach Hemmer/Coach Glover.. Louis Martinez(Wallkill) advanced to state meet with 12′ 6″(Top Soph).. Jacob Becher(Warwick) fly 11′ 0″ Danny Jeong(MW) 11′ 0″ Noah Brown(NP) 11′ 0″ Anthony Cortez(MW) 10′ 0″ Kevin Chait(Wash) 10′ 0″
The Girls Meet rolled out 10 Circus Girls for some Fiberglass-Fun… Warwick Valley senior captain…Kaeli Thompson hit 12′ 0″ to qualify..then hit relay duty…Julia Penna(MW) set a personal best at 11′ 0″ to punch her ticket to state and team mate Gabby Nebiker is off to states next weekend with her 10′ 0″ Keira Couland-Smith(NP) 9′ 6″ Daniella Raymond(Wash) 9′ 0″ Sydnet Tomaine(FDR) 9′ 0″ Sophie Mirecki(Wash) 8′ 6″SB Violet Bachorik(Goshen) 8′ 0″SB Angelisse Diaz(NFA) 8′ 0″ Shea Ross(Wallkill) 7′ 0″.
FLYING CIRCUS MASTERS CHAMPION….WILL NESBITT RETIRES….. CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU .. to Flying Circus Pole Vault Coach Will Nesbitt for an unbelievable experience he shared with all of our Circus Vaulters…Parents and Coaches. ‘ Will has been an inspiration to all of us here at Flying Circus Pole Vault Project for the past 7 years. His positive and encouraging technical coaching style is a model for all of us. He promoted our event at The Armory Foundation and started up the pole vault spirit for all youth in New York City. He fought for all the under-privileged and always was there to help in every way. He will be still with us on a part time basis to help coach the future. Thank you Will from your Flying Circus Family.”
** Will graduated from Duke University…following a senior year in high school… full of success in the Pole Vault(16′ 4″ –Still MOC Meet Record!!).. HS Decathlon Champion and Hurdling Champion. He was last years’ World Ranked #1 at 13′ 1″ Pole Vault(56 group) ~ 3rd in 2018 Outdoor Worlds Masters competition… 2nd in World Indoor Championships. !!!!! He will now turn his energy to Rock Climbing and Hurdling world-wide!!!!
The Flying Circus will be CLOSED for 6 DYAS for REST & RECOVERY for all athletes and Coaches from March 10- March 16 !!!!
We start the … “DRIVE for SPRING EXCELLENCE” on Sunday March 17 Regular Open Sessions!