CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The beauty of track and field events is their rich history and simpleness. Few sports could be as subjective. Runners are graded by time on a stop watch, throwers and long jumpers by measuring tape, and high jumpers and pole vaulters by the height of the bar they cleared. Although how it is measured is simple, competing in the pole vault is anything but. Dangerous is not a term often used to describe some of the other events, but classifying a pole vaulter as the daredevil of the track and field world is not uncommon. Not many people have the makeup to speed down a runway, plant a fiberglass or carbon fiber pole, hoist themselves up to hang upside down about 10 feet into the air before finally leveling out and propelling over the bar. The sport involves more than just crossing over the bar, it involves crossing over mental barriers to put your body in unnatural situations. Then, even if you have that mental strength, possessing speed and excellent upper body strength are essential. more
