Scholar Athlete: Orchard Park's Anthony Mancabelli

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Most people would be petrified of being nearly 15 feet in the air without a harness, but Orchard Park’s Anthony Mancabelli isn’t most people. Pole vaulting is in his DNA.

"You got to be fast," said Mancabelli, an Orchard Park High School senior. "You got to be strong. A little cuckoo. A little brave. My brothers did it, my Dad did it. It's been a family thing."

Orchard Park indoor track coach Chris Betrus says that the success of the school's pole vault program stems from the Mancabelli family.

"We've had athletes excel without that last name, excel in the pole vault," said Betrus. "But really, all of them get their pole vault training through the Mancabelli family."

Mancabelli is an excellent pole vaulter, as evidenced by his three sectional titles, but his impact as a student is even more impressive. 

"We have a student-ran credit union here at the high school," Mancabelli said. "Three days a week I'll miss my lunch and go open that up, do any transactions that any teachers have. Then, at the end of the day, I'll lock it up. It's a part of this internship that I do. I'm in the Academy of Finance at the high school."

Mancabelli is a big advocate for financial literacy. He believes that it’s good for students to learn about money and debt before they hit the real world. 

"Even taking it home and telling your parents, 'Hey do you have a money market account? What do you have in your emergency savings?'" he said.

The impressive student-athlete is currently undecided on college. Mancabelli's last big goal before he graduates is to make it back to the state tournament one final time.