March 2013 Vaulter Magazine

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2013 the vaulter magazine

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE

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the vaulter magazine 2013

contents FROM THE EDITOR

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Desert Vista High School

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Westfield State University

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Virginia Tech: Turning Out Champions

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Pole Vault In-Door Statistics February 2013

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Vaulter Magazine Reaches the Summit

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How to jump on bigger poles

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Photo by Dave Knachel

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FROM THE EDITOR We are delighted to treat our motivated “high” jumping pole vaulters this month. Masters vaulter Doug ‘Bubba’ Sparks has put together some tips for achieving those bigger jumps. He is passing on the advice that has kept him going strong and made him what he is. We are fortunate to have his input and we know you, our readers, will get a lot of solid information to improve your vaulting from this informative piece. Don’t miss this one!

This month we also have two universities featured that will impress any college-aged vaulter or parent of an athlete. Between the athletics and academics of these two schools there is much valuable information in both articles.

Westfield State University is one school fea-

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tured in this issue. There is some great information in this article about this school full of athletes. Those that are looking for a place to go for their higher education will find this a useful read.

Coach Weber is turning out some height with his vault team and they have a solid program going.

2012 was a great year for the vaulters of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (also known as Virginia Tech) and 2013 looks to be even better. This is why we had to also include this all-inclusive school in this issue. Not only is their vault team outstanding and flourishing, but the academic opportunities for their athletes are amazing as well. We hope you enjoy reading about these schools and with these articles we can help with your academic choices or feed your inner college sports fanatic.

Daichi Sawano

The high school crowd is not forgotten this month, which is proven by our featuring of Desert Vista High School. The popularity of pole vaulting in this Arizona community is very refreshing and fun to read about. You will not believe how many vaulters are trying out for the team at Desert Vista and what they are accomplishing. Especially for the

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younger vaulters, this article is inspirational and a must read.

And we could not leave out the fun we, the Vaulter Magazine staff, had this January at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit. We had so much fun seeing so many big names in pole vaulting attending the Summit and interacting with the crowd. There was much knowledge and advice being shared as well as extreme competition between elite vaulters. A great time was had by all and we shared our experience in this article we wrote specifically to tell you what went on. We hope you enjoy reading the details and are inspired to attend because it’s really worth it.

One year has passed since the start of the magazine and we have high hopes for the following years to come. We would like to thank each and every one of the readers and followers that have help this team launch and promote this magazine!

So please enjoy the reading, and stay warm for the remainder of this winter. Heading into spring we will be bringing more excitement from the world of pole vaulting for your reading entertainment. Thank you and stay tuned.

Doug Bouma – Editor – Vaulter Magazine

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Desert Vista High School Coaches Strive to Make Athletes Better Than Themselves By: Michelle Walthall

Our featured high school stands out. When asked about this month is Desert Vista High what makes them different he School in Phoenix, Arizona- a replies, “Having 3 coaches is school which has no lack of self-explanatory. Shea Kearney, community support or talent. Grigore Key and I strive to Pole Vault Coach Jeff Guy says, make each athlete better than “Pole vaulting is very popular ourselves.” The results show at Desert Vista. We have 300 that these words are spoken athletes come out for track very true from Coach Guy (as we and field and we average over 40 Vanessa Davis Pole Vaulters each year. The Desert Vista boys’ track and field team was the National Champions in 2007, 2008 and 2009.”

Coach Guy is not alone with the Desert Vista vaulters. “We have 3 pole vault coaches including myself,” he says. Having 3 pole vault coaches is a main reason Coach Guy believes their vault program

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will prove below). He and the rest of the staff at Desert Vista really do want their athletes to succeed beyond their own accomplishments and it is very impressive.

And he certainly has the experience to reach the goal

VAULTER

MAGAZINE

Vista.” And, according to Coach Guy, Desert Vista High School is very supportive of the athletes who Vault for the home of the Thunder.

Along with talented coaching and parent help, equipment goes a long way to creating a successful pole vault team as well. “We have 2 pole vault pits and 4 runways available,” says Coach Guy. “We incorporate gymnastics- including high bar, rings, rope, parallel bars and trapeze bar. We do a lot of resistance band and med ball work.”

The Thunder vaulters take advantage of every training Vanessa Davis

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opportunity as well.

They waste no time perfecting their jumps. Taking advantage of training opportunities includes attending camps and clubs in the summer and off-season. “I have a pole vault club called Ultimate High TC which averages about 30 vaulters in the off-season,” says Coach Guy. “We are part of Kiss the Sky Pole Vault Camp held in the summer outside of Payson, Arizona. It is a pole vault emersion camp that includes technique, training, psychology, nutrition and fun.

Check out Skyathletics.com.”

Talented vaulters to stand out in the group of Thunder vaulters are Scott Marshall and

Vanessa Davis- the highest PR athletes on the team. Coach Guys says, “Scott Marshall vaulted 15’6” last year as a junior and Vanessa Davis broke the freshmen state record last year at 12’0.25”.” Those are definitely impressive heights.

Excitement has not been in short supply for Coach Guy and his vaulters over the years either. Scott Marshall and Vanessa Davis are in good company with other high vaulters taught by Coach Guy. He says, “In 2010 Desert Vista had 5 girls clear 12’1” or higher in the same year. Atascadero, California had 3 girls clear 12’, but no other high school

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Vanessa Davis

before this had so many.” We also learned of even more amazing heights gained by the Thunder vaulters. Coach Guy also let us know of some other very impressive vaulters he has had on his team: “Shaylah Simpson- 13’4”, Arizona State University (state record), Heather Arseneau- 13’, Arizona State University, Courtney Reginato- 12’3”, UCLA, Emily Heisler- 12’1”, University of New Mexico, Kylie Harmon12’1”, University of Oregon.”

And the excitement does not stop there. “We had 6 girls place in the top 8 in the pole vault,” says Coach Guy. “Since then Arizona has made it a rule that each school can only have 4

entries in each event regardless of performance. I also have coached 20 high school boys over 15’.”

One key philosophy of the Desert Vista vault team may be at the core of their success.

They don’t necessarily see putting winning as a top priority when training. Coach Guys tells us, “We never set a goal to be state champions etc.

We focus on becoming better than ourselves and improving in all areas. Placing high is a byproduct of our program.”

On the subject of team philosophy, and lessons learned through training,

Coach Guy adds, “All of our vaulters experience the lessons of life. They reflect the relationships between meaningful preparation, conceptualization, work and rest, satisfaction and luck, the law of averages, educated guesses and conquering fears and confronting problems and making adjustments.”

It is not only about titles with Desert Vista High School, it is about setting goals for yourself as an athlete and reaching those goals- then letting that success shine through with height that excels over the competition.

Well done Desert Vista.

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE Left to right: Aliya Simpson, Vanessa Davis, Alexis Swaine, Sophia Daniels, Sierra Drake, Shannon Fritz, Coach Jeff Guy, Jake Alme, Justin Tobin, Scott Marshall, Daniel Reardon, Austin Davis

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE Tom Gauger

Westfield State University Westfield State University (also known as “Westfield” or “Westfield State”) is a comprehensive, coeducational, four-year public university in Westfield, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1838 by noted educator and social reformer Horace Mann as the first public co-educational college in America without barrier to race, gender and economic class. Westfield State University is the most residential of public institutions of higher learnMassachusetts. Westing in field State is located 45 miles (72 km) from Hartford, and 90 miles (140 km) from Boston, both of which have international airports. The nearest bus and train station is in Springfield.

There are 13 other colleges and universities in proximity to the campus.

Westfield State University Athletics

10% of student body plays a varsity sport 2500 plus students participate in intramural sports 21 varsity teams compete in Division III of the NCAA

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Westfield competes in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference. Schools compete for The Howard C. Smith Cup is named in honor of former Massachusetts State College Trustee Smith, who in 1970, urged the athletic directors of the eight State Colleges to hold a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of forming an intercollegiate conference.

In June of 1971, Smith’s dream became a reality as an affirmative agreement was reached and the MASCAC was created. Westfield 10 smith cups four smith cups in the last 6 years Westfield varsity sport teams have captured multiple conference championships in football, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer, field hockey, cross country, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, and track and field. Westfield has been a regular participant in NCAA and ECAC postseason tournaments.

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Women’s Pole Vault Crew

Coach Weber :

Amy Auclair -Jr. PR 3.25m, School Record holder 5 time conference Champion and record holder.

Michelle Caprille – So. RP 2.58m Brenda McCarthy –Fr PR NA

Jason Weber started coaching at Westfield State University in 2005 with the sprinters and hurdlers, and he now coaches the sprinters and his specialty – the pole vault.

Westfield Pole Vault History

Past Record School Holder’s Men’s Tim Tierney 4.32m. Set in 1978 Women‘s Kelsey Teal 2.70m set in 2007. Three time conference champ. “first woman Vaulter for Westfield State.”

Amy Auclair

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Weber has coached men’s Tom Gauger and women’s Amy Auclair to school records in the pole vault with jumps of 5.01m (16-5 ½) and 3.25m (10-8), respectively. He also has coached women’s indoor and outdoor pole vault champions for 10 consecutive

seasons, and the conference record holders in both the men and women’s indoor and outdoor championships.

Weber coached All American Tom Gauger in the pole vault (2012) Weber also coaches Patriot Pole Vault and a founding member of Patriot Pole Vault West.

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Amy Auclair

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Virginia Tech: Turning Out Champions in Vaulting and in Life By: Michelle Walthall If this year is anything like last year, 2013 looks hopeful for the vaulters of Virginia Tech, formally known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, in Blacksburg, Virginia. “In 2012 VT women swept the Indoor ACC Championships with jumps of 14’1¾”, 14’1¾” and 13’5¾”, and VT men swept the Outdoor ACC Championships with jumps of 17’8½”, 17’4½” and 17’4½”,” says Assistant Track & Field Coach, Bob Phillips. Doing this well is nothing new for the VT Hokies.

Coach Phillips also tells us, “We have competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the last eight years.

During that time Hokie vaulters have earned nineteen gold, twelve silver, and nine bronze medals and scored almost 500 points at Conference Championship.”

Coach Robert Phillips

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There is no shortage of talent on the Virginia Tech vault team. Coach Phillips gave us the scoop on his top vaulters this year: “Our senior leader on the women’s side is Leigh Allin, who will be returning next year for graduate school, with one year of eligibility remaining. Also leading the women this year is Martina Schultze, who was the ACC Outdoor Champion last year and finished 7th at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Martina has a personal best of 14’5”. On the men’s side, junior Stephan Munz (17’10”) and sophomore Chris Uhle (16’ 9”) are our top returnees.”

“We generally carry about ten vaulters (5 men and 5 women),” Coach Phillips continues. “…although this year we have four men and six women.

We do a lot of gymnastics training in addition to our track and weight room workouts. We pride ourselves on vaulter development. In just the last eight years VT has qualified a vaulter to the NCAA National Championships thirty-six times where they have earned twenty-two All-American honors.”

Of course with the talent comes great coaching as well. The vaulters at

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VT are fortunate to learn from a great team of coaches. Coach Phillips tells us, “We have six track coaches at VT, plus several volunteer coaches. In addition to me, we have three volunteer coaches assisting this year with the pole vault.

Joe Davis, who is also working

with our decathletes, is a twotime NCAA All-American with a 17’8.5” personal best. Hunter Hall is a five-time All-American with a 17’9.25” personal best.

Kelly Phillips is a two-time All-American with a 14’1.25” personal best.”

Coach Phillips himself has many years of experience, and is an alumnus of Virginia Tech who is definitely enriching the vaulting program. He says this of his coaching experience and career: “I vaulted for Virginia Tech from 1977 to 1981. I jumped 5.27 in college, but my Martina Schultze

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PR is 5.50 from 1984. I have been the vault coach at Virginia Tech since I graduated. I love the event and enjoy speaking and teaching about the vault.

After working camps for many years, this past year I directed VT’s first pole vault camp.”

Other components that add to the success of the Hokie vaulters are the facilities and the training time, which Coach Phillips is very happy with.

“The facilities at Virginia Tech are outstanding,” he says. “… with both a 200m banked indoor track and a 400m outdoor track. We have pits indoors and out so we can decide each day where we want to jump. Additional facilities and equipment include a gymnastics room, weight room, cardio room and over a hundred poles…We start each year with a lot of basic conditioning, but also start right away with optional vault sessions so that we can make technical changes in time for the indoor season.

In the off-season the vaulters here are particularly fond of rock climbing.”

In addition to their training, the VT vaulting team has a lot of fun as well. “Cook outs, movie night, camping, rock climbing and hiking (OK… and shopping, the girls tell me) are the main things that the vaulters here do together outside of practice to

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have fun,” Coach Phillips says.

“There are some beautiful trails in the area and many thousands of acres of national forest. But whether it is an obstacle course in the gymnastics room, the pole vault then football catch or the spectacle that is our annual Indoor Track Facility

alumni vault we try to have fun with the event.”

An extensive list of successful Virginia Tech alumni is further proof that their vaulting program is one of the best.

While talking with us Coach

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Phillips had a hard time leaving anything out when talking about his former vaulters and their accomplishments. This is what he had to say: “We have had many exceptional graduates at VT so it is hard to talk about only some. Brian

Mondschein was a three-time All-American and NCAA silver medalist from Pennsylvania who jumped 18’2” as a senior and went on to jump 18’6” as a post collegiate. Brian earned an undergraduate and master’s degree in Mechanical

Engineering from Virginia Tech and is currently living and training in Jonesboro, Arkansas.”

“…Jenia Olhovsky earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in Economics. Jenia was a seven-time All-American and twice NCAA silver medalist.

Jenia has a personal best of 18’3” which is our current indoor school record. He is now living back in his native Israel.” “…Hunter Hall was a five time All-American who graduated with a degree in communications with a specialization in videography.

He works in that area now and is also helping coach this year.” “…Joe Samaniuk earned a bachelor and master’s degree in chemical engineering while at VT and was an NCAA Academic All-American. He improved from 14’ to 17’5” while an undergraduate and went on to jump 17’11 ¾” while in graduate school. He completed his Ph.D. at Wisconsin this past May and spent the next several months walking the entire Appalachian Trail. He leaves this month for Belgium where he has accepted a post-doctorate position.” “…Adam Bingaman transferred to Virginia Tech from Syracuse but completed

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for three years where he improved from 15’6” to 18’2”, won a junior national championship and was an NCAA All-American and bronze medalist.

Brian went on to win an NCAA championship at Texas. His bachelor’s degree was in chemical engineering and he worked in the semiconductor area for IBM and Micron Systems before accepting a job this past year as jumps and sprints coach at the college of William and Mary.”

With all the success and amazing pole vaulting alumi, it is no wonder Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has made a name for itself. However, another great thing about Coach Phillips, and the VT pole vault program,

is that they have a broad outlook when choosing vaulters. It’s not just about athletics for Virginia Tech; it’s about the whole athlete and their future. Coach Phillips says, “We are interested in anyone that is a good athlete. How high you have jumped is not the most important factor. After graduating from Virginia Tech, our vaulters have gone on to many careers: lawyer, doctor, veterinarian, engineer, marine biologist, coach and many others. Quite a few have gone on to graduate school, with most of those continuing to pole vault while working on their graduate degrees.” It looks like this school, along with Coach Phillips and his team, has the right idea. Keep up the good work Hokies.

Stephan Munz

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE Leigh Allin

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Pole Vault In-Door Statistics February 2013 High School Boys Top 50 1. Daven Murphree 2. *Grant Sisserson

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23 24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

26

Dylan Duvio Devin King Nick Meyer Matt Rowland Tim Moses Cole Walsh Tray Oates Caleb Bertrand Craig Hunter Cayman Ellis Matt Wilson Scott Marshall Barrett Poth Steven Cahoy Nathan Dunford Justin Farrenkopf Trey Wyatt Kyle Wyatt Will Hooper Ethan Smith Cameron Robichaux Dakota Breaux Luke Winder Hunter Carlton Noah Gilfillan Zach Reed Adam Perkins Harrison Williams Tyler Craig Todd Uckermark Ben Gaylord Michael Rovzar Grant Krieger

17’ 0.00

12

TX

Big Sandy Harmony

16’ 7.00 16’ 6.50 16’ 6.00 16’ 4.50 16’ 2.00 16’ 0.75 16’ 0.75 16’ 0.00 16’ 0.00 16’ 0.00 15’ 10.00 15’ 10.00 15’ 10.00 15’ 10.00 15’ 9.00 15’ 7.00 15’ 7.00 15’ 7.00 15’ 7.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 6.00 15’ 5.75 15’ 4.00 15’ 4.00 15’ 4.00 15’ 4.00

12 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 12 11 11 11 12 12 11 11 12 12 12

LA LA KS OH PA AZ GA LA NJ FL LA AZ TX NE WA NY AR AR AZ NC LA TX IL TX TX MO KS TN GA NY CA CA MN

John Curtis Christian J Sumner Bishop Carroll Bellevue Palmyra Brophy College Prep Allatoona Elton Robbinsville St Petersburg Vermilion Catholic Desert Vista Klein Oak Grand Island Mt. Baker Ellenville Central Vilonia Vilonia Moon Valley Cedar Ridge St Paul – Boys Glenda Dawson Plainfield (Central) Mansfield Legacy Corsicana Festus St James Academy Memphis University Pickens Warwick Valley Harvard-Westlake Mater Dei The Blake

16’ 9.00

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AZ

Horizon

Winter Polestice Meet Arizona Indoor Classic USATF West Zone Indoor Championship LHSAA Last Chance Qualifier LSU HS Indoor Classic Pole Vault Summit Akron “Jerome Fields” Qualifier VaultWorX Bonus Meet Mountain T’s Invitational Hilton Garden Invitational LSU HS Indoor Classic Mercer County Championship Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet Pole Vault Summit Pole Vault Summit Pole Vault Summit Pole Vault Summit UW Open Meet Andy Wasnick Holiday Classic AVC Jack Frost Meet AVC Jack Frost Meet Mountain T’s Invitational NC Runners Elite Holiday Invitational LHSAA HS Qualifier McNeese Indoor II Naperville Central Pole Vault Invitational Aledo Indoor PV Invitational II Aledo Indoor PV Invitational II Big River Running Championship Big River Running Championship Uni of Kentucky HS Invitational TFCUSA National Championship Hispanic Games Pole Vault Summit Pole Vault Summit Pole Vault Summit

Sat, Jan 26

Sun, Feb 17

Sat, Feb 9 Sat, Jan 5 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 5 Sat, Feb 2 Sat, Feb 2 Sat, Jan 5 Sat, Jan 26 Sat, Jan 26 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19 Sun, Feb 10 Sun, Dec 30 Sat, Jan 5 Sat, Jan 5 Sat, Feb 2 Sat, Dec 29 Sat, Jan 26 Sat, Feb 2 Sat, Feb 2 Sat, Feb 9 Sat, Feb 9 Sat, Feb 16 Sat, Feb 16 Sat, Feb 16 Mon, Feb 11 Sat, Jan 5 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19

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36. Nick Eckett 37. Connor McLean

15’ 4.00 15’ 3.00

12 11

39. Justin Estala 40. Tyler Ginger

15’ 1.00 15’ 1.00

12 12

38. Dylan Kole

41. Chad Weaver 42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

Adam Coulon Max Cosculluela Noah Zorsky Nicholas Meadors Gavin Gautreaux Jordan Pacheco Tommy Dial Alex Miles Benji Brokenshire

15’ 1.00

15’ 1.00

15’ 1.00 15’ 0.00 15’ 0.00 15’ 0.00 15’ 0.00 15’ 0.00 15’ 0.00 15’ 0.00 15’ 0.00

12

12

12 12 11 11 12 10 12 11

NJ Jackson Liberty OR Clackamas Grand Rapids Kenowa MI Hills AR Paris IL Stanford (Olympia) New Lenox (Providence IL Catholic) IL Downs (Tri-Valley) TX The Woodlands (Conroe) TX Amarillo Tascosa TX Gatesville LA Catholic (New Iberia) NJ Morris Hills OK Jenks AR Rogers Heritage TX Springtown

The Varsity Classic UW Open Meet

Mon, Feb 4 Sun, Feb 10

Arkansas State Championships Northern Indoor Track Classic

Sat, Feb 2 Sun, Feb 10

Best Indoor Season Marks

Northern Indoor Track Classic

Northern Indoor Track Classic Lions Relays — Indoor Pole Vault Christmas Classic Indoor Track & Field Meet Expo Explosion IV LSU HS Indoor Classic Morris County Relay Championships Arkansas HS Invitational Big River Running Series #2 Aledo Indoor Invitational Pole Vault

Sat, Dec 1

Sun, Feb 10

Sun, Feb 10 Sat, Dec 1 Sat, Dec 15 Sat, Dec 29 Sat, Jan 5 Mon, Jan 7 Sat, Jan 12 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19

Jack Whitt

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40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

*Kami Berryhill *Tori Weeks *Addy Neibauer Emily Gunderson Meg Simon Sara Kathryn 45.

Stevens

12’ 0.00 12’ 0.00 12’ 0.00 11’ 11.75 11’ 10.00

11 10 12 11 -

TX AR CO TX LA

46. Kennedy Shank 47.

48.

49.

50.

11’ 9.00

11’ 9.00 11’ 9.00 11’ 8.00 11’ 8.00

10

PA

Lexi Masterson *Megan McCabe Morgan Johnson Natasha Black

11’ 9.75

11

12 11 12 12

TX

PA CO TX NV

Reference http://www.athletic.net/

Midland Christian Cabot Greeley Central Barbers Hill North Vermilion New Braunfels

Northern York (Dillsburg) Hempfield Area (7) Cherry Creek Plano East Senior McQueen

Wes Kittley HS Invitational USATF Arkansas Indoor PV Championships Air Force HS Indoor Open Carl Lewis Indoor Invitational Pole Vault Summit

Sat, Feb 16 Sat, Feb 16 Sun, Feb 17 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19

Kutztown Maroon & Gold Invitational

Fri, Jan 18

Texas Tech Red Raider Open

Spartans SP/PV Competition Simplot Games Pole Vault Summit Pole Vault Summit

Sat, Feb 2

Wed, Feb 6 Sat, Feb 16 Sat, Jan 19 Sat, Jan 19

Morgann LeLeux

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College Boys Top 50 1

Whitt, Jack

SR-4

Oral Roberts

18’ 4.75” 5.61m

Southland Conference Championship

02/22/13

4

Weirich, Victor

SR-4

BYU

18’ 2”

Air Force Team Challenge

02/09/13

2

3

4

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

12

12

12

12

17

17

17

17

17

22

23

24

24

24

24

24

24

30

30

30

30

34

35

35

35

38

30

Woepse, Michael Barber, Shawn

Simmons, Cale

Kendricks, Sam

Blankenship, Jake Hinch, Derick Ross, Colton Uhle, Joey

Wesley, Joe

Meyers, Kyal

Munz, Stephan Irwin, Andrew Lazas, Kevin

Gehrke, Dustin Viken, Michael Houston, Scott

Bane, Matthew Wait, Kyle

Brannon, Chase Babits, Max Bell, Dylan

Bishop, Alex

SO-2 FR-1 SR-4

SO-2 FR-1 JR-3

SO-2

SO-2 SR-4 JR-3

JR-3

SO-2 JR-3

SR-4 JR-3

SR-4

SO-2 JR-3

JR-3

JR-3

FR-1 SR-4

Duplantis, Andreas SO-2 Amezquita, Justin LaHaye, Andrew

JR-3

SR-4

Unterberger, Aaron SR-4 Wolfle, Chase Klein, Cody

Lupton, Greg Pillow, Chris Weiler, Nico

Reinecke, Thomas Johnson, Jaora

Watson, Reese Duggan, Cory

Pflibsen, Logan

FR-1 JR-3

SO-2

SO-2 SR-4

SR-4 JR-3

FR-1 JR-3

JR-3

UCLA

Akron

Air Force

Mississippi

18’ 4.5”

5.60m

18’ 2”

5.54m

18’ 4.5”

5.60m

5.54m

EMU-Akron-Buffalo

Air Force Team Challenge

02/08/13

01/11/13

02/09/13

5.50m

UAB Blazer Indoor Invitational 01/10/13 Samford Multi and Invitational Indoor Track & 02/08/13 Field Meet 2013 Mountain T’s Open and Invite 02/01/13

Air Force

17’ 9.75” 5.43m

02/21/13

Texas Tech

17’ 9”

5.41m

17’ 9”

5.41m

Tennessee

Arizona State

18’ 1.75” 5.53m

New Mexico Don Kirby Elite

18’ 1”

18’ 0.5”

5.51m

Stephen F. Austin 17’ 10.5” 5.45m Akron

Virginia Tech Arkansas

Arkansas

Oral Roberts

Eastern Illinois Indiana Illinois

Kansas State Tennessee

01/12/13

17’ 9.25” 5.42m

Texas A&M 12 Team Invitational Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Championships Zips Invitational

17’ 9”

Tyson Invitational

02/08/13

17’ 9”

17’ 9”

17’ 8.5”

17’ 8.5”

17’ 8.5”

17’ 8.5”

17’ 8.5”

5.41m

5.41m

5.41m

5.40m

5.40m

5.40m

5.40m

5.40m

Eastern Michigan 17’ 5.75” 5.33m Air Force Kansas LSU

Duke

Florida State

Georgia Tech Texas A&M Illinois

Kansas Rice

Harvard LSU

LSU

Texas

Connecticut

New Mexico

the vaulter magazine 2013

17’ 5.5” 17’ 5”

17’ 5”

17’ 5”

17’ 5”

17’ 5”

17’ 5”

17’ 4.5”

17’ 4.5”

17’ 4.5”

17’ 4.5”

17’ 3.5” 17’ 3”

17’ 3”

17’ 3”

5.32m

5.31m

5.31m

5.31m

5.31m

5.31m

5.31m

5.30m

5.30m

5.30m

5.30m

5.27m

5.26m

5.26m

5.26m

17’ 2.75” 5.25m

Tyson Invitational

ACC Championships Tyson Invitational

Tyson Invitational

EIU John Craft Invite

Notre Dame Meyo Invitational 2013 Indiana University Relays Wildcat Invite

2013 Armory Collegiate Invitational

Mid-American Conference Championship Air Force Team Challenge 2013 Jayhawk Classic

Razorback Invitational ACC Championships

ACC Championships

ACC Championships

Texas A&M Invitational Illini Open

2013 Armory Collegiate Invitational

Howie Ryan Indoor Invitational & Multi’s 2013 Armory Collegiate Invitational LSU Twilight

Tyson Invitational

Tyson Invitational

02/15/13

02/08/13

02/21/13

02/08/13

02/08/13

01/19/13

02/01/13

01/25/13

01/19/13

02/01/13

02/22/13

02/09/13

01/25/13

01/25/13

02/21/13

02/21/13

02/21/13

02/09/13

01/12/13

02/01/13

01/25/13

02/01/13

02/15/13

02/08/13

02/08/13

NEICAAA Indoor Track & Field Championships 02/22/13 Mountain West Indoor Track & Field 02/21/13 Championships

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Cato, Japheth

JR-3

Wisconsin

17’ 2.75”

5.25m

2013 Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational

02/01/13

41

JR-3

South Dakota

17’ 1.75”

5.23m

2013 Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational

02/01/13

43

Ballew, Kyle Cunningham, Logan Austin, Dylan

46

Sandusky, Ethan

38

41

43

43

46

46

49

49

Crenshaw, Austin Szmanda, Jack

Greenlee, Jack

Favor, Everette Morrow, Jesse Reed, Taylor Scannapieco, Alfonso

JR-3

SR-4 SR-4 JR-3

SR-4 JR-3

FR-1 SR-4 JR-3

JR-3

College Girls Top 50

Memphis

Minnesota

Texas State

Arizona State Michigan

Arkansas State Oklahoma North Dakota St. UTSA Albany

17’ 2.75”

17’ 1.75” 17’ 1.5”

17’ 1.5”

17’ 1.5” 17’ 1”

17’ 1”

17’ 1”

17’ 0.75”

17’ 0.75”

5.25m

5.23m

5.22m

5.22m

BSC Panther Indoor Icebreaker Snowshoe Open

Texas Tech Red Raider Open

12/01/12

02/15/13

02/02/13

5.21m

2013 Mountain T’s Open and Invite 02/01/13 Big Ten Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track & Field 02/22/13 Championships Arkansas State Kickoff Classic 12/02/12

5.21m

Bison Open

5.22m

5.21m

5.20m

5.20m

2013 Oklahoma Sooner Invitational

02/16/13

Reveille Invitational

12/08/12

2013 Armory Collegiate Invitational

02/09/13

02/01/13

1

Leleux, Morgann

SO-2

Georgia

14’ 9”

4.50m

Razorback Invitational

01/25/13

4

Buell, Bethany

SO-2

South Dakota

14’ 2”

4.32m

Iowa State Classic

02/07/13

2

3

5

6

7

7

7

10

11

11

11

14

14

14

17

18

19

20

21

Schultze, Martina

Bartnovskaya, Natalia Morris, Sandi Riebold, Jade

Richartz, Stephanie Fields, MacKenzie Payne, Demi

Koressel, Allison Olsen, Petra

Van Meter, Merrit Newman, Alysha Tobel, Kiley

Brown, Kristen

Simpson, Shaylah Petrillose, Kaitlin

Overstreet, Cameron Beaumont-Courteau, Ariane Kolbo, Natasha Hadfield , Linda

SO-2 JR-3

JR-3

JR-3

JR-3

SR-4 JR-3

SR-4 JR-3

SO-2

Virginia Tech Kansas

Arkansas

Eastern Illinois Illinois

Cincinnati Kansas UCLA

South Carolina

JR-3

Tulane Eastern Michigan Michigan

FR-1

Texas

FR-1

SO-2 JR-3

SO-2 JR-3

SR-4 JR-3

San Diego St.

Arizona State

North Carolina Akron UCLA

Tennessee

14’ 7.25”

14’ 6.25”

14’ 1.75” 14’ 0”

13’ 11.25”

13’ 11.25”

13’ 11.25” 13’ 11”

13’ 10.5”

13’ 10.5”

13’ 10.5” 13’ 10”

13’ 10”

13’ 10”

13’ 9.25”

13’ 8.25” 13’ 6.5”

13’ 6.25”

13’ 5.75”

4.45m

4.43m

4.31m

ACC Championships Tyson Invitational

4.25m

Texas A&M Triangular OVC Indoor Track and Field Championships Big Ten Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships Big East Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships 2013 Jayhawk Classic

4.23m

Tyson Invitational

4.27m

4.25m

4.25m

4.24m

4.23m

4.23m

4.22m

4.22m

4.22m

4.20m

4.17m

4.13m

4.12m

4.11m

Run For The Dream Tyson Invitational

Mid-American Conference Championship SPIRE NCAA D-I Track Invitational New Mexico Don Kirby Elite

New Mexico Don Kirby Elite

Houston Leonard Hilton Memorial ACC Championships

Mid-American Conference Championship New Mexico Don Kirby Elite VT Invitational

02/21/13

02/08/13

01/19/13

02/22/13

02/22/13

02/16/13

01/25/13

02/17/13

02/08/13

02/08/13

02/22/13

02/08/13

02/08/13

02/08/13

01/18/13

02/21/13

02/22/13

02/08/13

01/18/13

2013 the vaulter magazine

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE

Vaulter Magazine Reaches the Summit By: Michelle Walthall Vaulter Magazine was fortunate enough to be part of this year’s amazing UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada- the self-proclaimed “best event in track and field” by UCS Spirit.

For those of our readers who may not be familiar with this

event, it’s an amazing, annual two-day production held at a competition facility where the elite of pole vaulting are able to share their talent and experience with other passionate vaulters. All levels of pole vaulters are welcomed to the Summit. The combination

of competition, training and learning opportunities offered over the two days is very exciting and a truly meaningful experience for any athlete.

UCS Spirit writes on their website that “the Summit structure is designed to meet the needs of all ability levels including athlete, coaches, and parent break-out sessions, learn-by-doing instruction and roundtable discussion with the world’s best athletes and coaches. Led by national and regional staff influenced by national men’s and women’s pole vault developmental chairmen, each year we compile the most experienced and extensive staff to bring a truly unique experience for our attendees.” Any vaulter should make it a priority to attend.

From first-hand experience we can tell 2013 was a very successful Summit year and UCS Spirit is proud of their work as well. At www.ucsspirit.com, they have this to say about how

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successful it was: “This year we were honored to host one of the most exciting and inspiring pole vault summits in recent years. In addition to our own national champions and elite vaulters, we welcomed international competitors; including six Olympic champions, several IAAF world champions and nearly a dozen current national record holders from several continents.”

to be seen, such as Renaud Lavillenie clearing 19’2” in the Men’s Global Elite Competition and having close attempts at 19’5”, but advice from the elite vaulters and their interactions with attendees was wide-spread. The Olympic champions mentioned above all interacted with the attending vaulters in some way- whether it was giving advice, participating in small group

Among the elite vaulters joining the Summit were 2012 Olympic Champions Renaud Lavillenie and Jenn Suhr, 2008 Olympic Champion Steve Hooker, 2004 Olympic Champion Tim Mack and 2000 Olympic Champions Nick Hysong and Stacy Dragila. Thanks to these phenomenal vaulters, and the Summit staff and volunteers, the event was memorable, crowd-pleasing and well worth all the effort. Not only was there amazing height

discussions, or just signing autographs and meeting fellow athletes. No doubt this was lifechanging for vaulters who have been inspired by these fierce competitors.

These encounters in themselves are amazing, but it didn’t stop there. Coaches to the elite athletes were also offering their expertise at the Summit. Rick Suhr, coach and husband to

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some of the best coaching in the world having a hay day with the future talent of the sport.

More than anything, keeping things safe and focused on giving vaulters a chance to learn vaulting and grow their passion for the sport is what the Summit staff is all about.

Not only does it seem that those in attendance feel this goal was reached, but UCS Spirit has reached their goal according to their own standards as well.

And there seems to be plans to hold this event for many more years to come. Here is what was said of this year’s experience and plans for the future of the Summit on www.ucsspirit. com: “Focused on advancing a safe, responsible pole vault culture, the National Pole Vault Summit hosted over 1,000 athletes in 57 competitions and saw just that - a responsible vaulting community.

The enthusiasm, eagerness to learn and appreciation throughout the weekend bring energy to the Summit and make the tremendous coordinated effort all worth it. It is because of the willingness to learn and excel, and an innate exuberance for the sport that the annual National Pole Vault Summit continues to grow and thrive.

We are already looking forward to encourage - engage - educate - inspire next year.�

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE

How to jump on bigger poles By: Bubba Sparks If it hasn’t happened to you yet, it soon will. HOW DO I GET ON BIGGER POLES?!

Words of wisdom; • My former coach, the great Dave Johnston (DJ), used to tell me that the goal is to change poles, not the vault.

Too many vaulters totally change everything they do and that’s just wrong. From your very first takeoff you should be dress rehearsing what you need to do right to get on the next pole so it doesn’t feel foreign when you do.

• Tim McMichael (formative coach of NCAA champ Jack Whitt & 18’ 6 ½” – 5.65m vaulter himself) used to say the easiest way to learn to get on bigger poles is to take a small pole you aren’t afraid of and move in a stride.

Not only does this build confidence, but you will find you can jump 6” (15cm) higher just by moving in a stride on the same pole. FUN TIP - a real close tool for finding each new step/stride is to simply walk toward the

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box, or away from the box by 11 heel to toe baby steps.

For someone real young it may be 10, and then maybe 12 for someone older, but it works very well. Thank you Bill Halverson!!

• My next advice is to back off of your run by 5% and hit your plant and take off positions 10% better. Too often we run ourselves out of a good position. You can always add the speed back in after a couple of takeoffs.

• Jump up at takeoff. At the top of your jump to touch a basketball goal, your body will automatically go stiff and that is how you want to hit the pole; with a completely stiff body.

• Hit the pole before it hits you. When I worked with Borya Celentano (18’6 1/2”5.65m), he would tell me that at the top of this jump off of the ground that he was going to hit and force his hands through the takeoff like a karate chop and not let the impact of the pole slow his hands down. The goal was to hit so quick and hard

before the pole hit the box, that by the time his hands had time to completely close they would be on his hips and he would be vertical.

• DON’T move your grip up on the first jump. You can always move it up a little each jump afterwards but keep the same grip for your first try on that next pole.

Thanks to Jan Johnson, head of USA PV Safety, for that advice that had served me well for so many years.

• Still can’t get in? Walk back 11 heel to toe baby steps to your next stride. This tends to be the rule when moving up pole lengths anyway.

• Still can’t get in? You need an in between pole. Look for a trade or get your coach or booster club to fill that gap in your series.

• Of course I’m sure there are other good ideas and techniques, but these are some of the main ones I have depended on for years. Be safe and have fun!

Bubba

march 2013 issue

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Bubba Sparks Reno Summit 2013

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