Charley Dever Vaults 17 Feet, Breaks PA State Record


Charles Dever of West Chester Rustin jumped 17 feet even to break the Pennsylvania pole vault state record on Monday afternoon in a dual meet at Unionville High School in Kennett Square.

Dever, a senior, became the first high school boy in PA history to vault over 17 feet. That eclipses the previous outdoor state record of 16 feet, 6 inches, held by three boys: Joe Berry (Hatboro-Horsham; 2007), Chris Williams (Strath Haven; 2012), and Ryan Wilkes (Valley View; 2015). Andrew Rademacher of Hickory held the all-conditions state record with an indoor jump of 16-8 from 2004.

Coaches confirmed that weigh-ins were conducted and laser measurements were used during competition.

Dever was third in AAA at outdoor states last spring (15-0). During this past indoor season, he took fourth at indoor states (15-0) before posting his previous career best of 16-05.25 at New Balance Nationals Indoor to finish sixth overall.

The 17-foot performance moves Dever into the PA No. 1 spot and tied at US No. 6. One of the top head-to-head battles in AAA is shaping up in the boys pole vault this spring between Dever and East Pennsboro's Payton Morris, who jumped 16-3 at Shippensburg this past week.