Kennedy Pole Vaulter Jumps To Record Height

Cayla Conley, a senior at John F. Kennedy High School, recently shattered a school record during the track and field conference championship.

Conley cleared 7 feet, 6 inches in the pole vault -- an entire foot higher than the previous record.

“I’ve always had a love for running,” she said. “It allows me to express any emotion that I’m feeling at the time.”

Head Coach Chris Mammome, assistant coach/jumps coach Cici Hirsch and her teammates are extremely proud of Conley’s record as well as the team’s achievements.

“She scored almost all of the points for the girls team at the conference championships,” Mammone said.

Conley said she was hesitant trying pole vaulting four years ago, but pushed herself to do so.

“I carried over track from middle school into the high school setting but wanted to set new goals for myself,” she added.

Conley also earned fourth best school records in long jump and triple jump.

Photo: Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District