Any high school pole vaulter who clears 14 feet on a consistent basis definitely is getting up there. Given Jack Denby’s physical stature, that 14-foot range seems higher somehow.Denby is a Carlinville High School sophomore who stands 5-5½ and weighs about 110 pounds — “maybe 115 if he’s had a big meal,” according to Carlinville boys track and field coach Ken Garrison.But a combination of speed, strength and dedication to the sport has helped Denby climb into the top tier of area vaulters this spring. He cleared 14-7 in a home meet on April 17.After clinching first place by clearing 14-0 at last Saturday’s Rochester Invitational, Denby narrowly missed on his final attempt at 14-8.Denby cleared 14-0 to tie for second with Rushville-Industry senior Dalton Plumer, a recent Illinois State University signee, in the Illinois Prep Top Times Indoor Classic last month. Defending Class 1A state champion Mitch Mammoser cleared 15-1 to win it.“I was hoping to be at 15-0 by now,” Denby said at Rochester. “I’m still working toward that. Hopefully I can get on top of that pole and get to 15-0 soon.”Denby, whose next major meet comes today in the Jokisch-Grandone Invitational in Carlinville, credits much of his progress to working with the Flying Dragons Pole Vault Club in Normal. He and his sister, eighth-grader Katie Denby, have been involved in the club for several years.“It’s great, because it pushes you,” Jack said. “Everyone there is elite. They’ve produced a lot of state champs. It’s great to be a part of.”   more