Jaspers open track season with high hopes

December is a busy time for college students — taking finals, preparing to head home for break and vaulting over 16-foot bars using a pole.

The last task, however, is unique to Manhattan College pole vaulter Savio Paul and his teammates. Paul opened the indoor track and field season on Friday with two personal bests, including an IC4A-qualifying mark of 16 feet, 3/4 inches, at the Manhattan College Opener at Draddy Gym. The IC4As serve as a qualifier for the NCAA championships.

The senior, who commutes to campus from Yonkers every day, is a chemical engineering major who has been named to the MAAC All-Academic team the last two seasons. He has been juggling his study schedule while still improving his pole vaulting heights.

“I think a lot of it is sacrifice in terms of both track and school,” Paul said. “You have to find a way so that you’re not studying all night and not sleeping, because that affects the way you compete. And on the other side, you can’t be at the track all day and not study. You can’t afford to waste any time.”

The Jaspers wasted no time posting elite marks in the season opener, as three other Manhattan athletes earned IC4A qualifications. Junior Blerim Pocesta won the shot put with a throw of 46-11 1/2, and posted a mark of 56-8 3/4 in the weight throw, which placed him third. Senior Trevell Moxey won the triple jump in 48-0 1/2, and sophomore Hayden Clarke took the long jump in 23-3 1/4.

“I’m really pleased with four IC4A qualifiers,” said men’s coach Dan Mecca, who is in his 29th year with the team. “The highlight was definitely Savio Paul. It was the first time he ever pole-vaulted over 16 feet. He’s never pole-vaulted that high in his life. It’s great to see his progression this early in the season.”

Planning around track

Paul, an Iona Prep graduate, plans his whole day around school and track because he cannot go home in between classes or practice. He often arrives at school with his track clothes on, then changes in a bathroom into regular clothes later it the day. He packs his lunch and dinner ahead of time and comes every day prepared to work.