USATF Outdoor Championships

June 30, 2014, 8:11 am

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Men’s Pole Vault Final
Sam Kendricks, Winner
“I’m ecstatic right now. This is such an awesome experience. After the NCAA championship, I just wanted to come out here and jump and to be with these guys I’ve looked up to, it’s incredible.”

Mark Hollis, Second Place
“It was tricky out there because of the winds. We had to make adjustments on the fly. Sam did a great job today.”

Men’s Pole Vault (Final)

Pos	Athlete Name	Mark	Points		5.40m 17-8 ½	5.50m 18-0 ½	5.60m 18-4 ½	5.65m 18-6 ½	5.70m 18-8 ¼	>>
1	Sam Kendricks Ole Miss	5.75m 18-10 ¼			O	XO	O	O	XXO
2	Mark Hollis Nike	5.70m 18-8 ¼			XO	O	XXO	PPP	XXO
3	Victor Weirich Unattached	5.60m 18-4 ½			O	XXO	O	XXX
4	Peter Geraghty Eastern Ill.	5.50m 18-0 ½			XXO	O	XXX
5	Brad Walker New York Athletic Club (NYAC)	5.50m 18-0 ½			PPP	XO	XPP	XX
6	Michael Woepse Unattached	5.50m 18-0 ½			O	XXO	XPP	XX
7	Nick Frawley U.S. Air Force	5.40m 17-8 ½			O	XXX
7	Dustin DeLeo Unattached	5.40m 17-8 ½			O	XXX
9	Mike Arnold Unattached	5.40m 17-8 ½			XO	XXX
9	Chase Wolfle Texas A&M	5.40m 17-8 ½			XO	XXX
9	Jack Whitt Nike	5.40m 17-8 ½			XO	XXX
12	Logan Cunningham Unattached	5.40m 17-8 ½			XXO	XXX
NH	Jeremy Scott Nike				XXX
NH	Jeffrey Coover Unattached				XXX
NH	Shawn Francis Unattached				XXX
NH	Jacob Blankenship Unattached				XXX
NH	Nick Mossberg Unattached				XXX

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Sam Kendricks Wins U.S. Vault Title

June 30, 2014, 8:18 am

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SACRAMENTO - SEC Champion. NCAA Champion. And now, USA Champion.
Sam Kendricks capped off his remarkable junior year of college with his first career USA title Sunday, winning the men’s pole vault with a season-best height of 18-10.25 at the USA Track & Field Championships.
The Oxford, Mississippi, native will return for his senior year at Ole Miss as the reigning SEC, NCAA and USA outdoor champion, an impressive feat for any collegiate track & field athlete.
“I’m ecstatic right now,” Kendricks told reporters after his win. “This is such an awesome experience. After the NCAA championship, I just wanted to come out here and jump and to be with these guys I’ve looked up to, it’s incredible.”
“Sam being the U.S. champion is a great way to complete a fantastic season,” Ole Miss head coach Brian O’Neal said. “He always competes his heart out for the Rebs, and for him to rattle off this string of wins at SECs, NCAAs and the U.S. Championships is an impressive addition to an already outstanding career. It’s a fulfillment of all the hours of hard work that he’s put in this entire year.”
Kendricks claimed a gold medal Sunday after a riveting competition against the other top American vaulters from both the professional and collegiate ranks. Only two men cleared 18-8.25, with Kendricks and Nike’s Mark Hollis both going over on their third attempt. Kendricks then cleared 18-10.25 on his third attempt, while Hollis missed on all three tries. Kendricks made two unsuccessful efforts at a personal-best 19-1 before retiring for the day.
It topped off an incredible year for Kendricks, who claimed the 2014 SEC indoor and outdoor titles, as well as the 2014 NCAA outdoor crown. He was the NCAA indoor runner-up, the only time he has not claimed victory during the 2014 calendar year.
“Sam epitomizes what it means to be an Ole Miss student-athlete,” O’Neal added. “He’s a first-class person who works hard day in and day out at his craft to be the best he can possibly be, and he’s a leader both on and off the track.”

PARIS VAULT: A shower of jumps

June 30, 2014, 8:21 am

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Athletics moved away from its usual setting on Saturday 28 June to go out and meet the general public. It left the formal decor of the stadium behind and invited itself to the centre of the city. Indeed, on the initiative of the French Athletics Federation (FFA), the organiser of the MEETING AREVA, a pole vault exhibition was proposed in the very heart of Paris, just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower, in the gardens of Le Trocadéro. The result was a kind of foretaste of the MEETING AREVA 2014, the French stage of the IAAF Diamond League, which is due to take place on Saturday 5 July in the Stade de France. Gracing the event was an exceptional athlete, Renaud Lavillenie, Olympic champion and world record holder in the speciality with a jump of 6.16m.

The French pole-vaulter had never before had the opportunity to perform in such a context. A free exhibition open to all, this was the high point of a day dedicated to the discovery and promotion of pole vaulting. “We got everything we were expecting from this day, except the weather. The public were out in force and everyone really enjoyed it,” Renaud Lavilennie confirmed at the end of the exhibition. Somewhat complicated by the rather unfavorable conditions, the competition didn’t disappoint. True to form, the best pole-vaulter on the planet, Renaud Lavillenie, imposed with skill and authority, even treating the public to a jump of 5.30 meters on his first jump. He continued in this vein, clearing the jumps with ease as far as 5.70m, which he made on his first attempt. After two failures at 5.80m, the French champion opted to call it a day so as not to take any risks in the driving rain.“I had an absolute ball. For a Frenchman, jumping with the Eiffel Tower in your line of sight is a unique experience. It’s the most beautiful venue that I’ve jumped at in my entire career. The conditions were very difficult, but we all did our best to forget the rain. In fact, I’m obliged to come back and do the same again next year, but in the sunshine!”
  more


 

Geraghty fourth in US National championships

June 30, 2014, 8:28 am

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Eastern Illinois senior pole vaulter Peter Geraghty placed fourth in the event at the United State National Championships in Sacramento, Calif.

Geraghty cleared 18-0 1/2.  The title was won by Sam Kendricks from Mississippi as he cleared 18-10 1/4.

Earlier this month Geraghty placed fourth in the pole vault at the NCAA National Outdoor Track Championships earning first team All-American honors

POLE VAULT RULES COMPARISON

June 30, 2014, 1:37 pm

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GOVERNING BODY	IAAF		USATF	NCAA		NFHS
EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES
Pad surface (L x W x H)	8 m x 6 m x 0.8 m		6.15 m x 6 m x 0.813 m	6.5 m x 6 m x 0.813 m		20′ 2″ x 19′ 8″
Box collar required	No		“Suitable padding” req’d	Yes per ASTM standard		2″ padding required. Collar per ASTM std req’d for 2015 indr season
Crossbar length	4.48 – 4.52 m		4.48 – 4.52 m	4.48 – 4.52 m		14′ 10″ (4.52 m)
Crossbar end pieces	Circular or semi-circular w/1 smooth flat surface		Circular or semi-circular w/1 smooth flat surface	Circular or semi-circular w/1 smooth flat surface		Circular or semi-circular w/1 or 4 flat surfaces
Distance between pegs	4.30 – 4.37 m		4.30 – 4.37 m	4.30 – 4.37 m		13′ 8″-14′ 8″ (4.16-4.48 m)
Bar support peg length	Max 55 mm		Max 55 mm	Max 55 mm		Max. 3″ (76 mm)
ATHLETE MATTERS
marks on runways    Not allowed		Not allowed                         not allowed			Not allowed except in unrestricted areas&coaches
Tape on pole	Uniform layers grip end		Uniform layers grip end	Uniform layers grip end		Uniform layers grip end
Tape on hands/fingers	Allowed		Allowed	Not addressed		Not allowed
Wear of gloves	Not allowed		Allowed	Allowed		Not allowed
Athletes competing in another event	Not addressed		For one trial at a time may jump out of order. If not at venue, call “up” & record “pass” after time expires	May jump out of order. If not at venue and round is otherwise complete, call “up”; record “pass” after time expires, & raise bar		May jump out of order in prelims & finals if excused; max absence time set by Games Cmte
TIMING FOR ATTEMPTS
Open – 4 or more athletes	1 Min		1 Min	1 Min		1 Min
Open – 2-3 athletes	2 Min*		2 Min *	3 Min *		3 Min
Open – 1 athlete	5 Min*		5 Min *	3 Min*; if winner 5 Min *		3 Min; if winner 5 Min
Open – Consecutive jumps	3 Min		3 Min	3 Min – within a height		3 Min
Combined events – 4 or more	1 Min		1 Min	1 Min		1 Min
Combined events – 2 or 3	2 Min*		2 Min*	3 Min*		3 Min
Combined events – 1 athlete	3 Min*		3 Min*	3 Min*		5 Min
Combined events – consecutive	3 Min		3 Min	3 Min		3 Min
* 1st attempt in competition – 1 min.
CONDUCTING THE EVENT
Passes	Pass height		Pass height	Pass attempt(s)		Pass attempt(s)
Standards positioning (from zero line)	0-80 cm		0-80 cm (Youth 45-80)	45-80 cm		18-31.5 inches (45-80 cm)
Athlete steadies bar	Not allowed with hands		Not allowed with hands	Not allowed		Not allowed with hands or arms
Increments - Open	Min. 5 cm, never increase		Min. 5 cm, never increase	5-15 cm, never increase		Games Committee
Increments – combined events	10 cm		10 cm, Youth 15 cm	10 cm		Games Committee
Score sheet markings
Make; Miss	O; X		O; X	O; X		Not addressed
Pass / Did not jump	Dash		Dash	P		Not addressed

Hamilton reaches for 2016 Olympics

June 30, 2014, 2:00 pm

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MISSISSAUGA — The past few years have been like a roller coaster ride for Mississauga pole vaulter Heather Hamilton. She’s experienced lows such as nagging injuries and missing out on the 2012 Olympic qualifying meet and almost quitting the sport altogether out of frustration, but has come back to enjoy highs like last year’s national championship win as well as the National Track League title and setting a personal high jump record of 4.40 meters. Now, the 26-year-old faces a setback of a different sort in her pursuit of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Hamilton trains out of the World Athletic Center in Phoenix and says the cost of training, travelling and purchasing equipment is not cheap. On top of that, she recently paid $5,000 out of her own pocket for medical costs after a freak accident in April. While training in Phoenix, she broke a pole and the pressure from the snap split her hand open between her thumb and forefinger. She also developed bursitis on her shoulder from landing on the pole.  more

Aurora Street Vault June 28, 2014

June 30, 2014, 2:13 pm

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This is my first attempt at using the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ drone to film a street vault. It was windy and difficult to fly, but overall I got some good ideas for what to do for the next one.

Kasey Burlingham’s blog

June 30, 2014, 6:02 pm

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I love the pole vault community!

The pole vault community

I was just thinking of the pole vault community and how different it is from any other sport community in the world. Lets just start with the difference in how pole vaulters treat each other at any given competition. In any other sport the goal is to beat your opponent. Not to say that pole vaulters are not competitive, but their goals are a little different. The only rea…l goal at a competition is to PR and jump higher then you have ever jumped before, you’re really competing against yourself. Where this truly differs from other sports is that everybody else you are competing against also wants you to jump a PR. A pole vaulter will do everything in their power to make sure everyone else in the competition jumps as high as possible, they understand that this will also help them to rise to the next level.

Now the coaches: At the end of 2012 I contacted my current coach Dean Starkey to ask if he would be willing to coach me. I was a bit nervous to contact him since he is one of the greatest American pole vaulters of all time not to mention if you don’t know him he may seem intimidating. Lucky for me he said yes and now I get to work with one of the best coaches in the world full time. He has been amazing at helping us improve our physical and psychological abilities to become better pole vaulters, not to mention making our technique resemble that of decent looking pole vaulters. Him and his wife Jill Starkey have been incredible and have constantly gone out of their way to help us in every way possible. All of the other coaches I have had have also been amazing. my first coach Dick Reimers got me into pole vaulting. I am absolutely positive that without him I never would have had the success I have had in the vault. Jan Johnson who took me from a 1ft to a 3′ 6″ push off will simultaneously making me into a far safer pole vaulter and my college coach Tom Brenda who had no idea what he was getting into, lucky for me he was very patient.

Now lets talk about the pole vault community outside of competition and look at how helpful they are I am not just talking about the vaulters but the families and friends of the pole vaulters as well. When I told people that Annie I I were going to Europe to pole vault they were more than willing to do anything they could to help. They helped with the clothes we needed for the colder weather, made donations, gave us new spikes, and Bernie Miller made us both some awesome pole bags to travel with. They would ask where we going to be in case they knew someone in the area that we might be able to stay with.

When we got to Europe the pole vault community was just as helpful and accommodating. Two people specifically have been especially helpful and have made our life’s a whole lot easier since we have been here. Steven Taeleman who has given us a place to train and been helping us find meets, and Joe Samaniuk whose apartment we have been basically living at while in Leuven since we got here. Also when we decided to go to a meet in switzerland Mitch Greeley contacted us to offer us a place to stay and train will we were there, him and his wife Nicole B. Greeley were amazing. Fellow pole vaulters have sent us lists of meets they know of, shared supplies, talked technique, etc. Oh, and of course my mom Robin Lyn Main has been awesome. Other then watching our dog Beauford for the summer, taking a train down to LA to pick him and our car up, and shipping me various things I need while I am here, she has just been amazing.

So if you are new to pole vaulting consider yourself lucky for becoming part of such an amazing community

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vaulter visits Little Lever High School

July 2, 2014, 9:14 am

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United kingdom –POLE vaulter Jack Phipps – who has his sights on the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 – visited Little Lever High School to inspire the next generation of athletes. The 19-year-old who is a student at Loughbrough University, where he is studying for a degree in business management, visited the school through Sports 4 All UK Ltd. It organises visits by Olympic and professional athletes to inspire children to get involved in sport. Jack took an assembly for year seven and eight pupils before working with 40 gifted and talented youngsters. more

Challenge Day sees records smashed

July 2, 2014, 9:21 am

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Australia –TWELVE records tumbled at Sunset Oval on Saturday as the Mount Isa Athletics Club held its inaugural Challenge Day.

14-year-old Dan Butler clears 1.90m in pole vault.

The day gave the 21-strong field of athletes a chance to take part in events that have never been contested before in Mount Isa.

Pole vault records copped a battering as all seven jumpers cleared personal best heights.

Jade Scott, 13,  jumped a 20cm PB while setting a record height of 1.70m.

Fifteen-year-olds Josh Scott (1.70m) and CJ Brice-Houseman (2.20m) both set new PBs as brothers Dan, 14, and Andrew, 13, Butler jumped 1.90m and 1.60m respectively.

David Scott set the crowd alight with an awe-inspiring 2.80m jump, setting an all-time personal best and smashing the club record.

Coach Ken Dickson also broke the 45-49 years record jumping 2.10m, setting a new PB in the process.  more

Steve Lewis heads to take on best in world … without his poles

July 2, 2014, 9:22 am

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NEWLY-crowned British pole vault champion Steve Lewis thought he was grounded when he flew off to compete in Switzerland … and spotted his poles still on the runway.The double Olympian will be taking on the best in the world tomorrow night when he competes at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting.But his preparations took a jolt when crew from Swiss Air told him they could not fit his poles on the aircraft due to take him to the meeting.The 28-year-old, from Light Oaks, gave a running commentary of his battle to get the poles on the plane to his 10,700 followers on Twitter.As he stood in the terminal building, he wrote: “Here we go again. Poles don’t fit!”He then added: “Just been asked if baggage loaders can throw away protective case to my poles so they can fit them on the plane… really clever question!”

Read more: http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Athletics-Steve-Lewis-heads-best-world-poles/story-21314607-detail/story.html#ixzz36KSKYp65

 

Pistorius ‘suicide risk’– psychologist’s report

July 2, 2014, 9:27 am

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Oscar Pistorius has post-traumatic stress disorder and could be a suicide risk, according to a psychologist’s report submitted at his murder trial.

The report, read by his defence lawyer, said he was mourning his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

On Monday, the court heard that he was not suffering from a mental disorder when he shot Ms Steenkamp.

He denies murder, saying he killed her by mistake when fearing there was an intruder in the house.

The prosecution says the Olympic athlete deliberately killed Ms Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, after the couple had an argument  more

TFN Weekend Highlights–USATF Women’s Championships

July 2, 2014, 9:52 am

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USATF Women’s Championships —1. Jenn Suhr (adidas) 15-1 (4.60)(2-time defending champ);2. Sandi Morris (Ar) 14-11 (4.55) PR;3. Becky Holliday (Asics) 14-7¼ (4.45);4. Kaitlin Petrillose (Tx) 14-7¼;5. April Bennett (Asics) 14-1¼ (4.30);=6. Megan Clark (unat) 14-1¼;=6. Kylie Hutson (Nike) 14-1¼;=6. Angela Rummans (unat) 14-1¼;=9. Kat Majester (TPacer) 14-1¼;=9. Katie Nageotte (TPacer) 14-1¼;… nh—Mary Saxer (NYAC), MelissaGergel (TPacer), Kristen Hixson (GVal),Kayla Caldwell (unat), Janice Keppler (unat),Megan Jamerson (unat).

 

Q&A with Chris Johnson, Lincoln Nebraska PS vault coach

July 2, 2014, 11:24 am

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Chris Johnson, pole vault coach for Lincoln Public Schools, earned the Jeff Truman Memorial honor. Johnson coaches student-athletes from all six high schools during the track season. He answered questions about this unique arrangement, and how it benefits student-athletes.

How long have you coached at LPS, and where and what do you teach?

I teach Physical Education at Kooser Elementary. I started out as a student coach at LSE then for one year was a volunteer and in 1993 I was hired as an assistant jumps coach at LSE.  In 1995 LPS proposed combined all of the schools under one coach and offered me the position. At the time it was just, LSE, LE, LHS, LNE, and only the boys vaulted. In 1998 LPS was one of the first schools in Nebraska to allowed the girls to vault in meets as exhibition. Then in 1999 the NSAA added girls’ vault to the State Meet competition.

What is special about coaching the pole vault for all six high schools in LPS?

Our vault program is special because there is no other event like this one, and there is no other coaching co-op in Lincoln.  Our setup is so unique that I was asked to speak about it several years ago at the National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada. 

Next, we get the opportunity to coach kids from the entire city and watch the kids build life-long relationships with students from another school; something that may never have happened if they stayed on their own campuses.  more

Energy loss in the pole vault take-off and the advantage

July 2, 2014, 11:45 am

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Nicholas P. Linthorne — School of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Australia

Abstract

A model of pole vaulting with a ¯exible pole was developed with the aim of predicting the optimum take-off technique and pole characteristics for a typical world-class pole vaulter. The key features of the model are that it includes the interdependence of the take-off angle and the take-off velocity, and that it accounts for the energy losses in the pole plant and take-off phases of the vault. A computer simulation program was used to systematically investigate the effect of different combinations of take-off velocity, takeoff angle, grip height and pole stiffness on the performance of a world-class male vaulter. For the highest vault with this model, the vault height and the optimum combination of take-off velocity, take-off angle, grip height and pole stiffness were in good agreement with measured values for world-class vaulters using ®breglass poles. The results from the model were compared with those from a model of vaulting with a rigid pole. There was a clear performance advantage to vaulting with a ¯exible pole. The ¯exible pole produced a 90 cm higher vault by allowing a 60 cm higher grip and by giving a 30 cm greater push height. There are two main advantages of a ¯exible®breglass pole over a rigid pole made of steel or bamboo. A ¯exible pole reduces the energy dissipated in the vaulter’s body during the pole plant, and it also lowers the optimum take-off angle so that the athlete loses less kinetic energy when jumping up at take-off. more

 

 

 

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TFN highlights –Foreign National Champs

July 2, 2014, 4:18 pm

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• CANADA–Moncton, New Brunswick, June 27-29—PV: 1. Shawn Barber 18-2½ (5.55); 2.Jason Wurster 18-½ (5.50).PV: 1. Lindsey Bergevin 13-5¼ (4.10).
• GREAT BRITAIN–Birmingham, June 27-29—PV: 1. Steven Lewis 18-2½ (5.55).PV: 1. Sally Peake 14-1¼ (4.30).
• TURKU–Turku, Finland, June 25—PV: 1. Angelina Zhuk-Krasnova (Rus)15-1½ (4.61).
• SOLLENTUNA–Sollentuna, Sweden, June 26—PV: 1. Fabiana Murer (Bra) 15-3 (4.65).
• TOMBLAINE–Tomblaine, France, June 27—PV: 1. Ekateríni Stefanídi (Gre) 14-9½(4.51); 2. Angelina Zhuk-Krasnova (Rus)14-7½ (4.46); 3. Alayna Lutkovskaya (Rus)14-7½ PR.
• USATF Youth Champs —Bloomington, Indiana, June 24–29—(Meet has 5 age divisions; we carry medalists PV: 1. Riley Smith (unt) 14-5¼; 2. ZacharyRay (AB) 13-11¼; 3. Austin Hanoch (Dial)12-11½ .PV: 1. Lindsey Murray (unat) 12-9½; 2.Kristen Denk (unat) 12-3½; 3. Mackenzie Shell (unat) 12-3½.
• Golden West HS —Sacramento, June 28—PV: 1. August Kiles (Tamalpais, Mill Valley, Ca) 16-¾.

 

Kendricks reigns supreme

July 2, 2014, 4:24 pm

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Sam Kendricks’ 2014 season in pole vault only got better Sunday as he won his first USA Track & Field Championships Sunday in Sacramento, Calif.

The Ole Miss standout and former Oxford High Charger won the event with a leap of 18 feet, 10.25 inches, his best mark of the outdoor season. Kendricks has now won the SEC, NCAA and USA Outdoor championships.

 “I’m ecstatic right now,” Kendricks told reporters after his win. “This is such an awesome experience. After the NCAA championship, I just wanted to come out here and jump and to be with these guys I’ve looked up to, it’s incredible.”

 “Sam being the U.S. champion is a great way to complete a fantastic season,” Ole Miss coach Brian O’Neal said. “He always competes his heart out for the Rebs, and for him to rattle off this string of wins at SECs, NCAAs and the U.S. Championships is an impressive addition to an already outstanding career. It’s a fulfillment of all the hours of hard work that he’s put in this entire year.”

The only time Kendricks didn’t win a vault competition was when he finished second at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

“Sam epitomizes what it means to be an Ole Miss student-athlete,” O’Neal added. “He’s a first-class person who works hard day in and day out at his craft to be the best he can possibly be, and he’s a leader both on and off the track.”

 This was the second USA title for the Ole Miss family this weekend, as former Rebel Brittney Reese claimed gold in the women’s long jump on Saturday. Other Rebels who competed were Ricky Robertson in the high jump (8th place) and Isiah Young in both the 100 meters (prelims) and 200 meters (semifinals).

TFN Highlights USATF Men:

July 2, 2014, 4:34 pm

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1. Sam Kendricks (Ms) 18-10¼ (5.75) 2. Mark Hollis (Nike) 18-8¼ (5.70); 3. Victor Weirich (unat) 18-4½ (5.60) PR; 4. Peter Geraghty (EnIl) 18-½ (5.50); 5. Brad Walker (NYAC) 18-½ (2-time defending champ); 6. Michael Woepse (unat) 18-½; =7. Dustin DeLeo (unat) 17-8½ (5.40);=7. Nick Frawley (USAF) 17-8½;=9. Mike Arnold (unat) 17-8½;=9. Jack Whitt (Nike) 17-8½;=9. Chase Wolfle (TxAM)17-8½;12. Logan Cunningham (unat) 17-8½;… nh—Shawn Francis (unat), Jeff Coover (unat), Jeremy Scott (Nike), Nick Mossberg (unat), Jake Blankenship (unat).

 

Coomer sets record

July 9, 2014, 5:06 pm

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Seymour, Indiana Ben Coomer says pole vaulting isn’t as easy as it looks.

“A big part of it is just getting comfortable,” the recent Seymour High School graduate said. “It’s kind of terrifying because you’re running full speed, and then you come to a little box in the ground and you plant your pole and all of a sudden you’re going several feet in the air.

“I’d say the other part of the technique is getting your legs straight. That’s a big part of it, and just committing to it because once you learn to vault, you run as hard as you can.” more

Mallard qualifies for Junior National Olympics

July 9, 2014, 5:12 pm

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North Georgia –Everything really fell into place in a hurry for Hunter Mallard when he started to learn the ropes of the pole vault. As a freshman in 2014 at Gainesville High, he noticed it took strength, speed and lots of technique to master it appropriately. Now, less than a year after first trying his hand at this most complex event, he’s going for a national title.

“I found that the pole vault was unique and looked very interesting,” said Mallard, who doubles his time conditioning with football during the summer.

Mallard, a seventh-place finisher at the state championship meet this spring in Class AAAAA for Gainesville, will take part in the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympics on July 26 at Turner Stadium in Humble, Texas. The 15-year-old rising Red Elephants sophomore qualified second overall out of the 15-16-year-old age group with a mark of 12 feet, 7 inches at the regional meet Sunday in Rock Hill, S.C. At nationals, he’ll compete against about 35 other qualifiers from around the country.

Not sure yet the mark he’s going to strive for at nationals, he knows that he wants to win. He’ll start with a more manageable height — around 11-0 — when he arrives in Texas. Then he’ll start calculating all the variables in his head, including temperature and other athletes’ marks before marking his next goal.

He’ll take multiple poles to give different options once the day of the meet arrives.

“It’s pretty stunning to know that I just started the pole vault this year and am already in national-level competition,” Mallard said. “It feels awesome.”

Mallard said the biggest factor in his success is the unwavering support of his mother, Lara Mallard.

“I have the most supportive mom in the world,” Hunter said. “I don’t think I could be as serious as I am about the sport without   more