Times Herald-Record
February 17, 2008
West Point — On a sleepy Saturday morning at Gillis Field House, one track and field competitor managed to get fans and athletes alike to stand up and cheer.
Pole vaulter Robb Quiller had already clinched the Section 9 Class B title with a leap of 14 feet, 6 inches. He could have elected to try for a personal best of 14-9 but Quiller told the officials to move the bar up to 15-2. Why? Because his older brother, Rory, has the James I. O'Neill school mark of 15-1.
So on the East end of the field house, people stood and clapped in unison, trying to will Quiller over the bar. The senior came oh-so-close on his first attempt — he says if the metal standard had been moved back just a bit, he might have done it. Tired legs and a sore hamstring probably didn't help on his next two failed attempts, but Quiller figures he's got maybe four more cracks at the mark before the winter season is over.
"I've cleared some decent heights,'' said Quiller, who soared a personal-best 14-9 on Dec. 15, "but nothing too much better than what I did last year. Hopefully I still have some hidden potential that's lurking in there. "¦ If everything just goes right one day I definitely think I can clear that and maybe more heights to come.''
In the state rankings, Quiller is third, behind Brian McGovern (16-2) of private school Mount Saint Michael and Ryan Pericozzi (14-11) of Lancaster.
"I would like to think I could have done 14-10 today but 14-10 doesn't have much meaning,'' Quiller said. "Fifteen-two, I am anxious to clear that. It would be self-satisfactory knowing that I accomplished something that I really set my mind to.
"It definitely feels like (it's going to happen) any day. I've had several meets where I've been very, very close. I have to get it together and set up my standards where they've got to be and then just attack the box and make it happen.''
In addition to the state qualifier and state meet, Quiller wants to compete at the Eastern States meet and indoor nationals at the New York Armory.
Quiller has narrowed down his college choices to Binghamton and Cornell. Rory might stay on as assistant coach at Binghamton once he finishes his final indoor season — Robb says he would like his brother's tutelage but also wants his independence. Robb says he will make his decision in a few weeks.
The Ellenville boys and Tri-Valley girls brought home the team titles.
Mathew Arielly of Liberty was a triple winner in the high jump (5-8), long jump (20-½) and triple jump (40-7). Colin Seidl of Sullivan West won the 1,600-meter run (4:49.72) and 3,200 (10:17.46). Garrett Grey of Tri-Valley won the shot put (48-2 ¼) and non-scoring weight throw (58-6).
Courtney Roosa of Tri-Valley won the 1,500 (defending title in 5:11.74) and 3,000 (11:22.71). Tiffany Bennett of Marlboro won the high jump (5-0) and triple jump (31-8 ¾). Defending their titles were Kim McKay of Liberty in the pole vault (8-0), Avery Evans of Pine Plains in the 55 hurdles (8.56) and Rachel Pierantozzi of Millbrook in the 55 dash (7.59).
The Section 9 state qualifier is 9 a.m. Saturday at West Point.
