March 12, 2008
So why pole vaulting and not another event?
" You have to be a little bit crazy for this event, and let me tell you, I've got crazy covered. Being fearless is definitely required." - Lauren Szechy
"I knew I wanted to vault after I picked up a pole and cleared my first height during a USA Track & Field competition. Pole vault is track & field's most popular event. People love to watch athletes run with a long pole, thrust themselves over unbelievable heights, and land in a pit from 12 feet in the air. It is a rush for both the athlete and the spectators." - Melissa Walls
"Pole vault is unique and very challenging. However it really results in a sense of accomplishment when you clear new heights.Plus it looks cool!" - Brittney Dienes
"' Pole vault is an event that requires a lot of strength physically and mentally and I like to challenge myself to have both. It is also really rewarding when you make it over a height that you have been working for." - Pembroke Strickland
What is the biggest misconception about your event?
"It takes a lot of time and effort. We may make it look easy, but we work very hard to be where we are today. This event takes a lot of commitment. And we are all in it. I know I have a passion for pole vaulting, and I know my teammates do as well." - Lauren Szechy
"They say that pole vaulting is too dangerous of a sport.It is only dangerous if they are uneducated about the safety and techniques of the sport." - Melissa Walls
"That it is easy. Pole vault is extremely technical and thus difficult to do correctly." - Brittney Dienes
"Everyone thinks it is really dangerous, but if you know what you are doing, you will rarely get seriously injured." - Pembroke Strickland
What's the key to being good at it?
"A big part of pole vaulting is mental. If you can overcome the mental blocks, you have the ability to excel." - Lauren Szechy
"Upper body strength and mental toughness. The three key phases to being good are to (1) master the approach run, (2) plant, and (3) take off/follow through." - Melissa Walls
"Practice and drills...working on your core and perfecting your technique" - Brittney Dienes
"The key is to never give up, and when you get frustrated you just have to work harder. You have to know that it takes time to learn the technique." - Pembroke Strickland
What is one thing you want the readers of www.DaytonFlyers.com to know about your event?
"It is the best event!!! Both to compete and to watch." - Lauren Szechy
"USA Today has ranked the Pole Vault as the third most difficult of all sport's activities (2005) and ESPN recently ranked Pole Vaulting 16th in Degree of Difficulty: Sport Rankings out of 60 sports - just below Rodeo: Steer Wrestling." - Melissa Walls
"Though it's really technical it's really fun and a bit over looked I think in the track world." - Brittney Dienes
"It is definitely an event that you have to love to do. You will never be great if you don't enjoy it." - Pembroke Strickland
Does the fact that head coach Adam Steinwachs has helped coach one of the world's best pole vaulters (Jenn Stuczynski), help you in your training and how?
"Yes, Coach really knows what he is talking about. And you can trust that what he says will help make you a better vaulter." - Lauren Szechy
"Yes, Jenn Stuczynski is a natural athlete and it is exciting to know that you where part of the ambiance of her training and success. Hopefully we can pick up on some of her mind set in his coaching to prepare us for this unique sport. I met Jenn at one of my club practices and competitions a few years back at Paul Babit's facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and she was very focused yet down to earth." - Melissa Walls
"Yes, I think it definitely adds to his creditability and therefore allows us as vaulters to have a stronger faith and belief in him and his coaching ways." - Brittney Dienes
"He is a great coach and he definitely knows what he is doing. I can see everything that he is trying to teach us when I watch Jenn vault and it really helps to see that it works." - Pembroke Strickland
