Winfield, Kansas — Having coached nine national champion pole vaulters, Cowley College head coach Mark Phillips is conducting a vault camp Monday through Thursday at the Tiger Track and Field Complex. In 27 years of coaching the pole vault, Phillips has coached 51 NJCAA All-Americans, nine national champions and two national record holders including 2010 national indoor champion, Katie Gillmore and 2008 national indoor champion, David Starnes. As a vaulter and a coach, Phillips has been involved with the pole vault for 38 years. Phillips is being assisted by Cowley track and field assistant coach Kevin McDougal, former Cowley assistant and current Wichita State University graduate assistant Sarah Doyle, former Cowley pole vault national champion and current Duncan (OK) High School assistant coach David Starnes, Arkansas City High School head track and field coach Matt Kmiec, and Phillips’ son, Josh, who is the Cowley school-record holder in the pole vault and will be a member of the Wichita State University track and field team in the fall. The Pole Vault camp is designed to help vaulters learn to vault safely and correctly using technique drills and routines. Participants are being taught proper pole carry, run mechanics, plant timing, as well as take-off and bar clearance. There is also an emphasis on approach, plant and take-off. While, pole selection and proper training are being discussed. Video analysis is also being used to help participants learn. more
