Jumping Towards Success

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Pole Vault is a high flying, risk taking and adrenaline-rushing event. Last year I started track in the spring and I was unsure in the beginning if I should do it because I never liked running. I later realized that track wasn’t only running, it consisted of field events as well. The second I comprehended that, I immediately knew I wanted to pole vault. I am glad that I went through with it, because if I hadn’t I would have never had to opportunity to pole vault. I can vividly remember the first day I pole vaulted and I loved it. Now that I’ve been competing in the event for a year, it’s much more frustrating when I don’t clear a height than it was when I first started. I’ve made many friends along the way and feel lucky to be able to be apart of the event. This topic interests me because even though I don’t plan on being an Olympic pole vaulter, I would like to learn about the event at an Olympic level. I also plan on using this information to help me succeed at a high school level.

Considering that I do pole vault, I know the basics. The technique is to take a certain number of steps and slowly lower the pole when approaching the pit. Once at the pit, the top arm should be locked and the bottom ever so slightly bent. The right leg lifts perpendicular to the left and the body lifts to the right side of the pole. Truthfully, when I pole vault I don’t think about the technique. I find it easier and more beneficial for me to let my body and subconscious mind do the work. Every vaulter gets three attempts at clearing each height. The last person standing is the winner. By the end of my research I want to know, how can one become a successful Olympic Pole Vaulter?

The first source I found is an online article called “What is Olymp...

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...come more successful in the event. I knew from the very beginning that this topic would be perfect for me because of how much I can relate to it and because of the help it would give me in the long run.

Works Cited

Carr, Gerry. “Pole Vault.” Fundamentals of Track and Field. Champaign, IL: Human hhjhhjKinetics, 1999. 170-97. Print.

Erwin, Jim. Email Interview. 1 March, 2011.

“HowStuffWorks “How Pole Vaulting Works”” Howstuffworks “Entertainment” Web. hhjhhj05 Feb. 2011.

Rosenbaum, Mike. “Jenn Stuczynski: Profile of Olympic Pole Vaulter Jenn Stuczynski.” hhjhhjTrack and Field. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.

Rosenbaum, Mike. “Olympic Pole Vault Basics.” Track and Field. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.

Rosenbaum, Mike. “Your Road to the Olympic Team: How to Become an Olympic hhjhhjTrack & Field Athlete.” Track and Field. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.

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