Published: 6/11/2017 11:05:45 PM
Silvian Popusoi saved his best for last Saturday.
The Greenfield High School senior pole vaulter broke his own personal record by clearing 14 feet, 3 inches and picking up a sixth-place showing at the New England Track & Field Championships at Norwell High School.
Popusoi’s previous best mark was 14 feet, which he cleared two weeks ago at the Central/West Division II championships to win the event. Last weekend, Popusoi only cleared 13 feet, 6 inches and finished second at the All-State Championships.
“I only did 13-6 at All-States, but I still made it to New England and it gave me another chance to vault and compete again,” Popusoi began. “I’ve been practicing the most important thing in vaulting all week — rocking back so you get upside down, and then when the pole unbends, it pushes you up. I was really excited to vault again and get a PR.”
Popusoi had a flawless day en route to the sixth-place finish. He came in at 12 feet, 6 inches and hit that on his first try (competitors get three chances at each height). He then went on to clear 13-3, 13-9 and his 14-3 all on his first attempts. He said he came within a hair of clearing 14-9 on his final attempt, but was unable to get over the bar cleanly.
“I really wanted that 14-9 but you can’t get everything you want,” Popusoi said with a laugh. “I was really close.”
Popusoi entered the meet ranked 15th in the event, so his final result of sixth in New England was unexpected. He had a good cheering section on the day, including his father, brother and uncle, who was visiting from Moldova.
“I was surprised and pleased and really glad that my family was there,” Popusoi said.
His high school career is over but not his vaulting career. He will join older brother Vlad in the fall at Division I UMass-Lowell, where he will continue his career.
Erick Duffy of North Andover High School won the New England title with a jump of 16-4¾.