Maryland youth breaks pole sitting record. William Ruppert, 14-year-old youth of Colgate, Maryland, as he appeared atop the flag pole in the yard of his home yesterday after breaking the pole sitting record of 23 days set by Shipwreck Kelly. Young Ruppert who started his sitting on August 1, has worn out three pairs of trousers so far. He says he expects to stay up 30 days more. The pole is 18 feet high