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ALL-AMERICAN

Allen Finishes Sixth In Pole Vault At Nationals

EUGENE, Ore. -- Cassidy Allen is an All-American.

The recent Southwestern Central School graduate placed sixth in the pole vault at the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation Outdoor Nationals, presented by Nike, at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon on Thursday.

Allen made a height of 13 feet, 4 1/2 inches on her second attempt and was extremely close at a new personal record attempt at 13-8 1/2, according to an email from her pole vault coach, Mike Auble of Warsaw, New York.

"She was leading the competition through the first three heights (12-1, 12-7 1/2, 13-0 1/2), but then needed to try new poles and made 13-4 1/2 on her second attempt," Auble said. "She used her biggest pole ever for 13-8 1/2 attempts and we couldn't figure out standards in time.

"Not bad for a girl who flew red-eye Tuesday night into Wednesday morning," Auble added, "because of weather delays and losing poles between connecting flights."

To put Cassidy's accomplishment into further perspective, she beat national record holder Paige Sommers, who had previously broken Leah Pasqualetti's 14-8 1/4 national record. Pasqualetti is an Orchard Park native.

Cassidy, who will attend the University of Akron in the fall, was accompanied to Eugene by Southwestern assistant track & field coach Adam Brown.

"I would say that Cassidy adjusted well to every obstacle thrown at her," Brown said in a text message. "She demonstrated that she belongs on the national stage and will excel in college. For me, personally, she made a dream come true."

Brown also said he and the Southwestern coaching staff would like to "thank the Allen family for everything they have done for the track program" as well as Southwestern Superintendent Maureen Donahue and athletic director Kevin Salisbury for their "support to make this happen."

"They are a class act," Brown said.