Dengler reflects on successful junior year

Ithaca High School (IHS) pole vaulter Moss Dengler had a phenomenal junior season that was capped off with a second-place finish at the New York State Championships last month. He’ll be entering his senior year as the top returning public school vaulter in the state, setting up an opportunity to leave behind a very strong legacy at IHS.

Dengler has now had a taste of what it’s like to stand on the podium and hopes to climb even higher next year.

“I want to win states next year,” Dengler said. “Right now, I am the top junior in the state. So, I want to be able [win states] and hopefully go to nationals and do decent at that. Also, I want to break the school record here, which is 15 feet 3 inches. I want to get 15 feet 4 inches next year, which I think I’ll be able to do.”

His jump at states was an even 14 feet with a few near-misses at 14-and-a-half feet. There are many technical details that affect the success of a vault, and Dengler already knows what adjustments he’ll need to make to reach his goals next season.

“In my vault, I never really get my hips up,” Dengler said. “If I’m not in a straight line inverted, I’m still kind of sitting up. I think if I get my hips up and go to a straight line upside down, I think I could do it then. That’s the biggest thing at the moment.”

In terms of progressing toward that goal, Dengler already experienced how much he could grow in one year. His first successful vault at a meet this past year was a 13-foot vault at the 607 Invitational on Dec. 18. He then started the outdoor season with a 12-foot vault in April before finishing at states at 14 feet. With that progression in mind, Ithaca’s school record is certainly within reach.

Dengler talked about the differences he felt from the beginning of the year to his successful trip to states.

“Looking back at my jumps earlier in the season, they were not near as good as they are now,” Dengler said. “They still aren’t as good as I want them to be, but the jumps are a lot cleaner. I’m actually moving through the poles in the correct way or somewhat correct way. They look like good jumps. Earlier in the season, I wasn’t really as happy with them as I am now.”

Like many of the talented pole vaulters in Tompkins County, including Trumansburg state champion Isabel Morse and Lansing Division 2 second-place state finisher Aidan Gallagher, Dengler is trained in his discipline by Lansing High School and Ithaca College track and field coach Matt
Scheffler.

“A big part of [my success] is Matt Scheffler from IC,” Dengler said. “I go to all his clinics, and he’s one of my coaches. He’s taught me that if you’re not having fun doing it, it’s not going to really go well. You have to have fun or you’re just going to overthink it and you’re not going to improve as much as you would if you’re just having fun the entire time.”

The medal Dengler was able to take home from states is now considered his most prized possession (but he’s reserving that spot for a better finish next year). Beyond taking home a top prize at the biggest competition of the season, the support he had at Cicero-North Syracuse High School created a memory that he will not forget.

“It was great having that many people rooting for me,” Dengler said. “I had eight of my family members come to the meet. To have that little crowd of people cheering every time I did something good was nice.”

Pole vaulting runs in the Dengler family as Moss’ older brother, Ember, is a Division I pole vaulter at the University of Albany. Ember’s personal best at Ithaca High School was 14-and-a-half feet. To break the Ithaca High School record, Moss will have to set the Dengler family record as well, giving him another goal to strive for in his senior season.

Send questions, comments and story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.