The junior failed in a bid to take down the Westchester record, but he defeated Fordham Prep’s James Deutmeyer, the No. 1 pole vaulter in the state right now.
NEW ROCHELLE – The bar sat at 16 feet, 1 inch, so the fate of the Westchester outdoor record of 16 feet in the pole vault hung in the warm air Sunday at Iona Prep. Ryan Herrera-Murphy ran down the runway three times with the pole along for the ride, but he couldn’t quite clear it. The Iona Prep junior will have many more chances to take the record held by former teammate Greg Gallagher and Irvington’s Casey DiCesare. Herrera-Murphy’s consolation prizes included a successful defense of his Eastern States Invitational title; a personal-best-tying 15-6, which ties him for No. 3 in county history outdoors; and the achievement of beating the state’s top-ranked pole vaulter, Fordham Prep senior James Deutmeyer. Or did he? “Knowing James, I’ve vaulted with him numerous times before and he’s capable of so much more,” said Herrera-Murphy, who’s ranked fourth. “I won, but personally in my heart of hearts, I know I didn’t win. I want to beat him fair and square when he’s 100 percent and I’m 100 percent and we’re just going head to head.” A Federation rematch comes Friday in Cicero more
