Eagles’ star soaring to new heights
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Middletown South’s Julianne Toto has made a name for herself as the top pole vaulter in the state, an honor which has earned her entry into Cornell University.

From the first time that Julianne Toto gave the pole vault a try, she was mesmerized by it.

“It felt so cool, I loved it,” she recalled. “I didn’t want to leave. Being in the air is so cool.”

That was when the Middletown South vaulter was just starting out in the event as a sophomore. Two years later, she is the indoor Group III state champion, with the fourth best vault in the country (12-5) and a ticket to Cornell University for her efforts. She and the pole vault, it turned out, were a perfect match.

Toto is just starting to grasp what she has been accomplishing this year. Instead of looking up at others, she is the one everyone is chasing.

“I’m not used to jumping higher than the other girls,” she noted. “It’s different having them look up to me.”

Pole vaulters are a fraternity, and like the other vaulters, Toto is more than willing to share her knowledge.

“I love helping other people,” she said.

Sunday, Toto made history by becoming the first indoor pole vault champion in state history. This winter, the NJSIAA put the pole vault on its indoor schedule of events for the first time, and Toto took full advantage of the opportunity to win her first state title and make history in the process. She won the Group III title by vaulting 12-0 in Princeton University’s Jadwin Gymnasium.

Having continued her upward curve (10-6 as a sophomore and 11-6 as a junior) this winter, Toto doesn’t want to stop.

“It’s not about winning anymore,” said Toto. “I love it so much I just want to keep going higher.

“I want to do 13-0 indoors and hopefully higher outdoors,” she added.

Sunday, the Eagle soared 12-0 to win the first-ever contested NJSIAA indoor pole vault championship. Back in December at the Bishop Loughlin Games at the Armory in New York City, Toto was named the Most Outstanding Field Athlete at the event for her meet record 12-5.

What Toto is accomplishing this year hasn’t caught Eagle coach Bill Clifton off guard.

“She has really taken a love for the sport,” said Clifton. “She’ll do anything she can to get better. I’m not surprised at all at what she’s done.”

Like most vaulters, Toto has a background in gymnastics. She was the captain of the South gymnastics team in the fall, but since her first steps on the pole vault runway two years ago, gymnastics has taken a back seat.

“Her biggest asset is her overall athleticism and how she approaches the sport and her focus on it,” Clifton remarked. “She’s always doing conditioning drills and working on her technique.”

Toto’s dedication to the event is unquestionable. Last spring, a broken hand couldn’t stop her from competing at the state championships. Even though the injury cost her a chance to win a state title (she was second at the Group meet and fifth at the Meet of Champions), her determination won everyone’s admiration.

Speaking of dedication, three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, when not competing) she travels two hours one way to Bethlehem, Pa., to vault at Vertical Assault under the direction of Mike Lawryk, who is the reason that Toto spends four hours in the car to and fro.

“He knows how to coach the pole vault,” she said. “He breaks it down into drills — the vault, the swing and the run-up.”

Toto isn’t pressing, but believes that 13-0 will be there soon.

“Thirteen feet will come,” she said.

If Toto had one wish, it would be to have more raw speed. He runway speed as she approaches the pit is all that is holding her back, and she is working on it non-stop.

“I would like to run like a sprinter,” she pointed out.

Toto has been getting help from last year’s sensation, Ocean Township’s Adam Sarafian, who set the state record (17-4 1/2), won the scholastic national championship, and was ranked No. 1 in the country. Sarafian is now doing his vaulting at the University of Georgia.

“I talk to Adam every day,” said Toto. “He’s always been like a coach to me. He’s very motivational.”

Besides the physical work that Toto has put into getting better, her ability to calm her nerves has played an important role in her success as well. Her focus is laser-like.

“I used to be so nervous,” she noted. “I’ve learned to relax and zone out.”

Cornell University has always been tops on Toto’s college wish list (because of its nutritional program), and, thanks to her record-setting season, the Big Red are just as interested in her, and it looks like they are going to make a good match. She has made her verbal commitment to Cornell.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Cornell,” she said. “I never thought that pole vaulting would get me there.”

Toto will be in Reno, Nev., this weekend to take part in the National Pole Vault Summit. In addition to competing and meeting her fellow vaulters, some of the biggest names in the sport, including 2000 Olympic champion and former world-record holder Stacy Dragila, will be there.

Having won the Group III title, next on Toto’s list is the Indoor Meet of Champions on Feb. 27 in Princeton. There, she can make history again, becoming the first indoor MOC champion.