Cory Poole, doing the “Florida Gators chomp,” shown visiting the University of Florida this past weekend.
EAST ORANGE, NJ – East Orange Campus High School senior Cory Poole, who won both hurdles events at the state Meet of Champions in June, has signed with the University of Florida on a track and field scholarship.
Poole revealed his decision to pick Florida during a ceremony at the STEM Academy on Monday, Nov. 14. In front of family and friends, Poole did the famous “Florida Gators chomp” after announcing his decision.
Poole visited the University of Florida during this past weekend. He initially had committed to Syracuse University.
Poole won both the 110-meter high hurdles in 13.71 and 400-meter intermediate hurdles in 52.50 at the state outdoor Meet of Champions in June to cap the outdoor high school track and field season. His 13.71 broke his own Essex County record. He was named the Gatorade New Jersey Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
During this past spring, Poole won four gold medals (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles, 400-meter dash and 4×400-meter relay) to lead the Jaguars to a repeat Essex County Championship team title. He set meet records in the 110 hurdles (13.96) and 400 hurdles (51.91). Both records stood since 1984.
Poole then won the same four events to spark the Jaguars to a tie for the state North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 Championships team title with Elizabeth. He repeated in the hurdle events.
Poole also repeated in both hurdles events as the Jaguars finished second overall at the state Group 4 Championships. EOCHS finished just two points shy of Old Bridge.
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