FREMONT, California — Jeff Opelt’s Fremont Ross track record of 14 feet, 2 inches in the pole vault has stood for 40 years. But on Tuesday, Opelt’s mark came under fire as Ross junior Jalen Oman cleared a winning mark of 13-6 before making three attempts at 14-3 during a home meet with Eastwood and Woodmore. Oman came close each time but kept clipping the bar. Ross finished second to Eastwood in both the boys and girls meets. “I wasn’t dropping my shoulders back and finishing my vault,” said Oman, whose previous best height was 13 feet. “I can definitely get higher. I know what I’m doing, it’s just hard to make a change right away.” Vaulting has always been a niche sport for the Little Giants’ program. Ellen Silva — who currently vaults at the University of Toledo — placed fourth for Ross at the Division I state meet in 2011. Behind her, bad vaulters have been few and far between. Enter 1999 Ross graduate Pryde Yost. more
