Though Short of Personal Best,
Bronze Shines on Allison Benson

By Frank Rizzo
BINGHAMTON — August 4, 2000 – Waking up early to make the 8 a.m. Empire State games women’s open pole vault competition was no big deal for Wurtsboro’s Allison Benson.
She was, after all, used to early practices at Monticello HS over the summer.
“They left the mats on,” Benson, a recent Monticello grad explained.
With the continual assistance of coach Warren “Buddy” Goldsmith of Monticello, Benson raised her personal best in the difficult event from 9-0 at the beginning of the spring season to 10-6 at the ESG trials last month.
This past Saturday Benson earned a bronze medal by clearing 3.04 meters (9-113¦4), placing behind champ Kate Mullins of Binghamton (3.69m/12-11¦4) and Deven Fister of Poughkeepsie (3.19m/10-51¦2).
“It was a lot of fun, a good learning experience,” Benson said of her first ESG. “I’d like to do it again next year.”
Benson knew little about her competition. Mullins, the gold medalist, attends SUNY-Binghamton (“She has a home-field advantage,” one field official cracked) and her best height coming in was 12-0.
“I was happy and excited [after the competition],” Benson said. “I would have liked to clear 10-6, but I think it’s just a matter of practice.”
Benson ranked fourth academically at Monticello HS this past year, and won the Mayor’s Trophy as the best athlete in her class. She received an academic scholarship to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy this fall.
Benson has been in touch with the track coach at RPI and will continue to compete in the pole vault there.

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