2019

Outdoor

• Advanced to NCAA West Prelims 
• Cleared a season best 16’9.25” (5.11m) at Big Ten Championships, placing fifth
• Competed at 6 meets for Illinois in Pole Vault
• Earned two first place finishes during the season

Indoor

• Set new PR in Pole Vault at the Big Ten Championship (2/22) clearing 17’2.35” (5.24m), placing fourth
• Competed in 5 meets for the Illini, including the Big Ten Championships

2018

Outdoor

• NCAA Prelims qualifier in the pole vault 
• Competed in the pole vault at Big Ten Championships 
• Won pole vault competitions at the Bill Cornell Spring Classic and Illinois Twilight
• Set outdoor personal record vault of 16'8" (5.08m)

Indoor

• Cleared a personal-best bar of 17'1.75" (5.23m) to earn a bronze medal at Big Ten Championships  
• Won the pole vault competition with a season best mark of 16'10.75" (5.15m) at the Orange & Blue Open
• Cleared five meters for the first time this season, marking 16'6.75" (5.05m) to place second at the Illini Classic

2017

Outdoor

• Scored for the Illini at Big Ten Championships with an 8th place finish in the pole vault
• Cleared 16'6.75" (5.05m) three times during the season: Drake Relays, Beach Invite and EIU Big Blue Classic 
• Won the pole vault competition at the UNLV, EIU and Illinois State meets

Indoor

• Tied for sixth in the pole vault at Big Ten Championships with a PR height of 17'0.25" (5.19m)
• Cleared 16'8.75" (5.10m) at the Husker Invite to set a new lifetime best 
• Won the pole vault competition in his Illini debut with a mark of 16'6.75" (5.05m)

High School

• Four-year varsity letterwinner under head coach John Nalley
• Won the 2015 IHSA Class 3A state championship in the pole vault
• Took the 2015 Mid Suburban League Conference title in the pole vault during indoor and outdoor season
• All-time Palatine HS record holder in the pole vault with a mark of 16'6"
• Competed at 2015 New Balance Nationals

Personal

• Son of William and Cheryl LaRocca
• Born on September 6, 1996
• Has one sister, Amanda and three brothers, Adam, Daniel, and Nicholas
• Siblings Daniel (2009-13) and Amanda (2006-10), ran track at Illinois Wesleyan
• Illini hero is Dean Starkey, world class pole-vaulter who went o Palatine High School
• Majoring in math and computer science

Personal Bests

Indoor
Pole Vault: 17’2.35” (5.24m) - Big Ten Championships (2/22/19)

Outdoor
Pole Vault: 16’9.25” (5.11m) - Big Ten Championships (5/10/19)

Updated Jan 2020