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Dave Gorman Memorial Marina Vault set for Saturday


The region's top pole vaulters will converge at Lake Heritage outside Gettysburg this weekend for the Dave Gorman Memorial Marina Vault.

The fifth annual event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 22, and is expected to draw more than 80 pole vaulters, including entrants from as far away as Indiana and Texas.

The unique competition is set up by the waterfront at the Lake Heritage Marina, 1001 Heritage Drive, Gettysburg. The event runs all day and includes vaulting, music, swimming, food and friends organized as tribute to Gorman, who died five years ago.

Standard rules of competition will apply, but organizers have added "The Gorman Buy-In Rule": After three consecutive misses, vaulters will be allowed a fourth attempt if they collect or donate a $5 re-jump fee. If the vaulter clears the height, he or she is back in the competition. If the vaulter misses, he or she can jump at the next height but must collect or donate another $5 for each additional jump.

The event also features lake vaulting, in which participants can vault into the lake.

Organizers note that because of the buy-in rule, height progressions can move slowly. "It will be late morning before the bar gets to 10’ and mid afternoon til we reach the 12’ range. Registration runs all day so time your arrival accordingly," according to the event listing on polevaultpower.com. There will be “open runway” at times throughout the day for all competitors, and an "elite vault” with a starting height of 13 feet is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Entry fee is $30 with on-site registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing all day.

Read more on polevaultpower.com.