Daily Archives: May 17, 2012

With new pole in use, Keppler delivers a state title to Oñate

LAS CRUCES -Two years ago, Andrew Keppler promised Oñate head coach David Nuñez a state championship in the pole vault.He just needed a new piece of equipment to get it.When Nuñez gave the thumbs up on the purchase, little did the head coach know Keppler would select such a pricey tool to work with.”I said, ‘are you kidding me man? That pole is $689, and that’s without shipping,’” Nuñez said. “And he’s all, ‘coach, you get me that pole, and I guarantee you….I will do everything in my power to win state with it.”‘That was last year – Keppler’s junior campaign as a Knight – and he would suffer a major setback shortly thereafter, breaking his left foot practicing on his new piece of equipment, which cost him the 2011 season.Keppler would recover, however, and kept his word this past weekend, winning the state title by vaulting a height of 14 feet at the 2012 State Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque.And, yes, it was with his new pole.  Continue reading →

Thunder’s Walsh on pace to fulfill pole vault goal

Illinois –Woodstock North Jon Walsh offered his coaches a bold prediction at the end of the 2011 track and field season.“I told them I was going to win [the pole vault at Class 2A] state,” Walsh said. “[Assistant coach] Bruce Farris never lets me forget that one.”Walsh simply declared his intentions to improve, and since he has raised his performance by almost 3 feet, he has lived up to his words so far. The Thunder senior is ranked among the state’s best pole vaulters as he heads to the IHSA Class 2A Richmond-Burton Sectional Meet, which starts at 4 p.m. today.“I’m really excited,” Walsh said. “All summer I was training, almost every single day. I’ve been pretty much living pole vault for the last year.”Walsh also will compete in the high, long and triple jumps, although pole vault is his main event. He has the best vault (15 feet, 6 inches) and long jump (22-1) in the Northwest Herald Track and Field Honor Roll, which chronicle’s the area’s top performances of the seasonWalsh scored 11 1/2 of the Thunder’s 15 1/2 points in the McHenry County Meet last month, and scored 21 of North’s 28 points in Friday’s Fox Valley Conference Invitational.“At the end of last season he started to realize his potential,” Thunder coach John Fredericks said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but with the things he has done, he should make the finals [at state] in Charleston.”Walsh should become North’s first boys qualifier for the IHSA Boys Track and Field State Meet, which will be next Friday and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium. If he Continue reading →

Colorado Class 5A High School Track Results

Pole vault— 1, Nick Dalton, Bear Creek, 15-09; 2, Josh Holland, Arapahoe, 14-06; 3, Mackenzie Felkley, Boulder, 14-06; 4 (tie), Austin Walter, Rocky Mountain, 14-00; Dalton Vickles, ThunderRidge, 14-00; 6 (tie), Jordan Hatfield, Regis Jesuit, 13-06; Nolan Ellis, Chaparral, 13-06; 8, Ryan Reasoner, Chaparral, 13-06; 9, Mitchell Waltz, Cherokee Trail, 13-00  Pole vault— 1, Lauren Santi, Lakewood, 11-06; 2, Lauren Brunsdale, Lakewood, 11-00; 3, Mikeala Lodl, Lakewood, 10-06; 4, Megan McCabe, Cherry Creek, 10-06; 5 (tie), McKenzie Patarino, Lakewood, 10-00; Paris Duhamel, Arapahoe, 10-00; 7 (tie), Zoe Robb, Boulder, 10-00; Madison Gomer, Ralston Valley, 10-00; 9 (tie), Emily Cleary, Fossil Ridge, 10-00; Lisa Bohannon, Loveland 10-00; Anna Loken, Grandview, 10-00  more

2012 NJCAA Track & Field Championships -

Men Pole Vault                                                                          
  1 Samuels, K’Don               South Plains             4.94m   16-02.50  10  
  2 Woelfel, Miles               Scottsdale CC            4.84m   15-10.50   8  
  3 Rosson, Cody                 Cowley County CC        J4.84m   15-10.50   6  
  4 Arnold, Luke                 Johnson County CC        4.69m   15-04.50   5  
  5 Valcin, Rick                 Cowley County CC        J4.69m   15-04.50   4  
  6 Phillips, Josh               Cowley County CC        J4.69m   15-04.50   3  
  7 Parsons, Lex                 Hutchinson CC            4.54m   14-10.75   2   
  8 Tolbert, Derek               Scottsdale CC            4.39m   14-04.75   0.50
  8 Johnston, Jesse              Paradise Valley          4.39m   14-04.75   0.50
10 Costello, Michael            Paradise Valley         J4.39m   14-04.75      
11 Tonnesen, Pau                Mesa CC                 J4.39m   14-04.75      
11 Becker, Dakota               Hutchinson CC           J4.39m   14-04.75      
– Escobar, Francisco           Monroe College              NH                 
– Vasquez, Juan                South Plains                NH                 
– Clark, Nicholas              Mesa CC                     NH     

Women Pole Vault                                                                           
  1 Bartnovskaya, Natalia        Vincennes                4.21m   13-09.75  10  
  2 Stuhlsatz, Page              Hutchinson CC            3.70m   12-01.50   8  
  3 Eklund, Kaylee               Johnson County CC        3.50m   11-05.75   6   
  4 Groves, Ashley               Paradise Valley          3.35m   10-11.75   5   
  5 Saddoris, Reisa              Iowa Western CC         J3.35m   10-11.75   4   
  6 Jones, Shannon               Glendale CC             J3.35m   10-11.75   3  
  7 Lewis, Ashleigh              Vincennes                3.20m   10-06.00   1  
  7 Andrews, Niki                Cowley County CC         3.20m   10-06.00   1   
  7 Quick, Devon                 Paradise Valley          3.20m   10-06.00   1  
10 Peoples, Kadie               Cowley County CC        J3.20m   10-06.00      
11 Tingle, Jessica              Johnson County CC       J3.20m   10-06.00      
11 Hutchins, Shelbie            South Plains            J3.20m   10-06.00      
13 Harris, Kristen              Cloud County CC          3.05m   10-00.00      
14 Hageman, Courtney            Paradise Valley         J3.05m   10-00.00      
– Pew, Susan                   Mesa CC                     NH                 

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Bollinger, Principia aim to vault to top of Class 3 field

St Louis, MI –Conrad BollingerHe was in seventh grade and all arms and legs.One look was enough to see Conrad Bollinger was built to run long and far, but really, who settles on a specialty at 13? He was as likely to be an astronaut as a middle-distance runner, as likely to be a wide receiver in the NFL as a playwright. At 13, Bollinger was keeping his options open.And then he stumbled upon a group of athletes pole vaulting.”I was just watching some other guys do it, and I thought, ‘That looks like the coolest thing,’” Bollinger said.Cool in almost any situation, the pole vault is something more for Bollinger these days. With a career-best vault of 14 feet, 9 inches, the Principia senior is one of the state’s top vaulters. Saturday, he’ll duel two-time defending champ Mike Grinde of Monroe City for the Class 2 state title.

All eyes will be on the vault. It could be one of the turning points in the boys state championships

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/boys-track/boys-track-notes-bollinger-principia-aim-to-vault-to-top/article_5b471b44-a03e-11e1-bf43-001a4bcf6878.html#ixzz1vAFI3Bqe

Milestat 2012 AZ. First Team Elite Boys

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 17-0 Garrett Starkey AZ Basha High School 2012 04/27/2012 Chandler City Meet
2. 16-3 Cole Walsh AZ Brophy College Preparatory 2013 05/09/2012 AIA Division 1 State Championships
3. 16-0 Nathan Hiett AZ Basha High School 2013 04/20/2012 Buffalo Stampede Invitational
4. 16-0 Grant Sisserson AZ Horizon High School 2013 05/09/2012 AIA Division 1 State Championships
5. 15-6 Matt Arseneau AZ Desert Vista High School 2012 02/29/2012 Desert Vista vs Brophy
6. 15-6 Scott Marshall AZ Desert Vista High School 2013 02/29/2012 Desert Vista vs Brophy
7. 15-3 Adrian Childress AZ Copper Canyon High School 2013 05/09/2012 AIA Division 2 State Championships
8. 15-2 Bo Haddock AZ Deer Valley High School 2013 04/21/2012 Valley Classic
9. 15-0 Will Hooper AZ Moon Valley High School 2014 03/30/2012 Glendale Union HS Dist. Relays
10. 15-0 Mark Schillinger AZ Brophy College Preparatory 2012 04/20/2012 Hohokam Invitational (Formerly Tribune)
11. 15-0 Aidan Foster AZ Desert Vista High School 2012 04/20/2012 Hohokam Invitational (Formerly Tribune)
12. 15-0 William Wallace AZ Salpointe Catholic High School 2012 05/09/2012 AIA Division 2 State Championships

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Arizona Meet of Champions 2012

Brophy College Prep High School

Boys Pole Vault
   1 Walsh, Cole                  Brophy Colle          16-05.00 
  2 Starkey, Garrett             Basha                J16-05.00 
  3 Wallace, William             Salpointe Ca          15-03.00 
  4 Arsenau, Matt                Desert Vista         J15-03.00 
  5 Childress, Adrian            Copper Canyo         J15-03.00 
  6 Marshall, Scott              Desert Vista          14-06.00 
  7 Miller, Jack                 Casa Grande          J14-06.00 
  8 Smith, Cody                  Basha                J14-06.00 
  8 Williams, Keith              Payson               J14-06.00 
  8 Schillinger, Mark            Brophy Colle         J14-06.00 
11 Duckworth, Timothy           Arcadia              J14-06.00 
12 Giles, Jon                   Desert Vista         J14-06.00 
13 Johnson, Steve               Red Mountain          13-09.00 
13 Sopeland, Levi               Payson                13-09.00 
13 Fletcher, Eric               Gilbert               13-09.00 
13 Kennedy, Tommy               Desert Vista          13-09.00 
16 Foster, Aidan                Desert Vista         J13-09.00 
16 Tobin, Justin                Desert Vista         J13-09.00  Continue reading →

Raper keeps Moon Valley’s pole vault reputation stellar

logo2012Moon Valley head coach Brian Raper took over pole vaulting coaching duties too for retiring coach Ken Anderson.  Raper was a total success bringing senior Brad Linder from 11-6 to 6th in state and a 14-0 vault.  He also coached talented sophomore Will Hooper into a tie for second place in state with a PR of 15-0 and successfully brought along junior Tyler Cone to a PR of 14-0.  Raper had three vaulters over 14-0 in Arizona Division II, quite a feat.  On the girl’s side he brought along a talented frosh, Lilie Ledesma getting her to state her first year of vaulting.  Thanks to Raper, Moon Valley has a great year ahead in 2013 with Cone and Hooper ranked in the top 5 in State and then Sophomore Ledesma ranked number 7. Other Rocket news—Will Hooper is taking up football.  The coaches have big plans for him the next two years.  Tyler Cone is beginning his summer odyssey of pole vault camps from California to Georgia.  And Brad Linder is preparing for his freshman year at NAU.

John Oberg keeps Raiders vaulting high

His name was Jude Sangillo and he was Lower Cape May’s pole vaulter in 1997.

Why is he the answer to a trivia question? Because he was the last pole vaulter not from Ocean City High School to win the Cape May County championship.

A big reason for that success is John Oberg, the volunteer OCHS pole vaulting coach. Since Oberg began working with the Ocean City vaulters, the Raiders are 15-0 in the county meet, 24-0 if you count the girls pole vault.

“He has been a great part of our program,” said Ocean City coach Matt Purdue. “We think he might be the best pole vault coach in the state. He’s done a great job with our vaulters but he also helps out kids on other teams, too. Its remarkable the number of state finalists he’s coached.” Continue reading →

Olympic Future for Hog Pole Vaulter?

Arkansas freshman Andrew Irwin qualified for the Olympic Trials this past weekend at the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Irwin cleared 5.72 meters, or 18 feet, 9.25 inches on his final attempt. That gives him an “A” standard and automatically qualifies him for the Olympic Trials in June.

Irwin’s vault also set an American junior record.

The Mount Ida, Arkansas native had already locked up the SEC title by clearing 5.62 meters, or 18 feet, 5.25 inches.  more

Ballistic Power for Better Athletic Performance

Where balletic and athletic meet to create ballistic movement

The ability to accelerate, change directions quickly, and jump high are all directly related to explosive power. The common misconception of explosive power is often mistaken for how much weight the athlete can move.

Unfortunately, Much of this weight is improperly lifted technically for the sake of lifting more weight. The growing sentiment in most strength and conditioning programs is based upon the term “building a bigger engine”. The ability to be dynamic and explosive in athletics are directly affected by Rate of Force Development (ROFD or RFD). Their is a necessity in athletics for the ability to start, stop and change directions quickly. When an individual possesses these skills he or she is typically termed athletic or skilled. I define this as heightened body awareness, and high ROFD. What many of the so called gurus don’t understand is this type of dynamic skill isn’t developed by just applying more weight to a bar and squatting lower, nor is it gained by loudly stomping your feet when performing Olympic lifts.

Unfortunately bigger and stronger doesn’t guarantee faster. In most cases there is significantly more benefit to decreasing body weight and improving the strength to weight ratio. Performing the specific necessity at a higher rate of speed can only attain high skill and speed acquisition. Contrary to most thoughts and beliefs an individual can yield high strength gains without lifting extreme weights. Continue reading →

Cayman Islands medical student, ‘Dr. Ellis,’ puts pole vault firmly in her past

Dr EllisDana Ellis hadn’t touched a vaulting pole in three-and-a-half years when she picked one up this season and felt that old, familiar tug.

Ellis, the Canadian pole vaulting record holder and former Olympian, is still nagged by what-ifs over a career sparkling with highlights but cut short by injuries. But the Kitchener native knows that was in the past — she has a new life now.

On Saturday, Ellis will officially begin a new chapter in her post-athletics career. She’ll become Dr. Ellis, graduating with her medical degree from Tulane University in New Orleans.

Ellis, 32, enrolled in medical school in 2008, shortly after giving up her bid to qualify for the Beijing Olympics because of injuries. She threw herself into her studies with the same work ethic and focus she did as an athlete, graduating at the top of her class.

She spent two years at St. Matthew’s School of Medicine in Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands, before transferring to Tulane, where her husband and fellow pole vaulter Continue reading →

Star pole vaulter joins TWU

Canada –The Trinity Western University track and field team will enter the world of CIS women’s pole vaulting this fall.

Last Thursday, May 9, Spartans’ track and field coach Laurier Primeau announced the signing of top-flight Australian vaulter Rebecca Marchant of Blackburn, Melbourne.

The 5’8″ graduate of East Doncaster Secondary School (2011) and transfer from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology has a personal best pole vault of four metres, a clearance that, if vaulted here this past season, would have won her a Canada West gold medal and a CIS silver medal.

And, for a 19-year-old, there is no currently competing Canadian who has jumped within 10 centimetres of her personal best, a height that, if she was Canadian, would have her tied for the second best junior women’s vault of all time.

“Sometimes, when recruiting, finding the right performance, academic and faith combination for Trinity Western University is a welcome challenge, and sometimes, through God’s work, things seem to fall into place for us,” Primeau said. “The addition of Rebecca to our team is an example of the latter. Not only is she an excellent pole vaulter, but she also has an incredibly high academic standard and, beyond that, has shown a heart for serving through her help with homeless and disadvantaged youth.” Continue reading →

Houchin breaks own vault record again

When there’s nowhere else to go but up, that’s where Swede senior Erica Houchin goes … up.For the third straight week, Houchin has set a new school record in the pole vault.At the B-6 district meet at Gothenburg on Thursday, Houchin cleared 10-foot-8 to surpass her previous best of 10-6 achieved last week.Before that, she vaulted over 10-2.5 at the conference meet to take her place at the top of the all-time Swede standings.“Erica is vaulting very well right now,” said Gothenburg coach Steve Reeves. “She has a very good shot at a medal at state.”Houchin finished second in the event behind Abigail Mohr of McCook, whose best vault was also 10-8 but with fewer previous misses.Five other Swedes will join Houchin in Omaha this week for the Nebraska State Track and Field Championships at Burke Stadium Friday and Saturday. more