Vaulting in the Big Leagues

Happy New Year!

Yesterday’s BU Mini Meet was exciting.  I cleared 10’6”—tying the UML Women’s Pole Vault Record.  BUT, it doesn’t count so I’ll have to do it again at Dartmouth Relays coming up.  Maybe even 11’ J

At first I was jumping pretty lousy.  I wanted to try UML’s new 12’ 130lb—but I just can’t seem to work it yet.  Luckily Patriot Pole Vault brought along a 12’ 120 that I was using at the Harvard Invitational.  Although there were PatriotPV representatives there, I still felt like I was assessing a lot on my own.  I’m proud of myself for really figuring out things for my own.   As much as I missed the crew out in Reno, I’m happy that I got to jump without them.  I did have a little help from some people here and there, but I realized how much I depended on a coach right after each jump.  Some of the jumps I wouldn’t even speak to anyone because I knew exactly what I did wrong—I really should man up and get my arms up.  This gives me more confidence in meets where I know that I will be by myself.

After two attempts at 10’6” my best friend and fellow UML teammate Mary came over and said, “Now, I don’t know much about pole vaulting but it looks like you have it.  You need more time.  You’re hitting it on your way up.  Isn’t there a way to push back the crossbar so you can get over it?”

“Yeah, I was thinking of pushing my standards back to 80, but I had trouble getting into the pit earlier.  I guess I can do that.”

Of course I cleared it, and I turned around and said, “MARY! YOU DID IT!”

After the meet my mom comes down from the stands and says, “So, you like my advice on pushing the standards back to 80?”