Smithtown Pole Vaulter Breaks Record

Despite gusty winds, Smithtown West athlete Karl Nilsen brook Long Island's meet record for pole vaulting on Friday, jumping 14 feet at the Knight-Time Invitational at Uniondale High School, according to Newsday.

"The head winds made it twice as hard," the senior told Newsday. "This is a short sprint event. Your top speed matters in terms of how high you jump. It has a really direct effect, especially when you're running directly into it. It slows you down. It's almost like having a parachute."

The previous record was 13 feet 3 inches.

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