Despite suffering from tonsillitis, the senior pole vaulter set a meet record by clearing 11 feet, 3 inches Saturday to win the Montgomery Invitational title. Rampolla returned to the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex Sunday for an unsanctioned all-comers meet and cleared 11 feet, 6 inches — a personal best. By comparison, 11 feet 3 would have won a state public school title in all four classifications last winter. A former Level 8 gymnast who began pole vaulting as a freshman, the 5-foot-2 Rampolla is the defending IAAM champion indoors and a three-time IAAM champion outdoors. She qualified for the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships last summer after competing with the DC Vault club but opted not to make the trip. Rampolla, who plays soccer for the Lions, also competes in the long jump, triple jump and 800-meter relay. She had a 3.85 GPA last semester and is drawing attention from such college programs as Clemson, Maryland, Tennessee and Tulane.
Others considered:
Camille Calhoun, Archbishop Spalding, basketball; Shakara Head, Joppatowne, basketball; Makeba Ndifang, South Carroll, basketball; Rachel Schwaab, Catonsville, basketball.