EIU has two 18'+ vaulters!

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.dennews.com/sports/geraghty- ... f6878.html

Geraghty, Viken’s friendly rivalry heightens


Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 9:05 pm

By Blake Nash/Staff Reporter | 0 comments

Beating or tying records has been a recurring theme for Eastern pole vaulter Peter Geraghty this season.

During the fall semester, the red-shirt senior tied the indoor record also held by his coach Kyle Ellis and teammate Mick Viken.

Geraghty had never broken past the 18-foot mark until last Saturday at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, but now his name is atop the Eastern record books after just one season as a Panther.

“Most of the hunger I feel in the vault is about continuously improving my height and become better as a vaulter, nothing else motivates me,” Geraghty said.

Geraghty’s hunger returned Tuesday to at the EIU Tuesday Tweener where he jumped a height of 18-feet, 2.75-inches, breaking Viken’s previous Eastern record for the outdoor season of 18’0.50”.

“It’s great competition for them every week and a lot of excitement for their audience,” Ellis said.

Ellis said the two pole vaulters have unique attributes that make them successful.

“I would say Mick’s more technically efficient, while Peter’s athleticism makes the difference,” Ellis said. “Peter’s a little faster and taller, but those traits combined between the two are a dream match.”

Viken, also a red-shirt senior, came into this season as the school’s record holder, but did not know what to expect from the North Central transfer.

“I’ve been here four years, and I’ve never had anybody to train with or compete against, who has that much talent,” Viken said. “It’s been real fortunate for me, Kyle and the whole team that he transferred here.”

Viken said the fact that the former Division III national champion transferred to Eastern was very fortunate for the Panthers.

The relationship between the two off the track is just as respectable as it is on the track, both Geraghty and Viken said.

“He’s a great leader, vocally supportive and an unbelievable competitor,” Geraghty said.

While it may seem that Geraghty’s success at Eastern has come easy, his journey to becoming a Panther did not come without a stumble.

“Getting my transfer acknowledged by the NCAA was quite a rush,” Geraghty said. “It all came down to my credits making it through the transcript process.”

And the rest is history.

The respect he has for Ellis played a huge role in his decision to come here.

“Kyle and I have known each other for a long time and his legacy here speaks for himself,” Geraghty said. “I had the chance to take my talents to the Division I level, come under the tutelage of a great athlete and friend and become a part of one of the best track programs in the Midwest.

[vaultmd]

Way to go, Kyle!

[KYLE ELLIS]

Thank you!
Peter actually jumped 18ft or better 3 meets in 7 days last week (Saturday siue, tuesday at eiu, and friday at drake relays)
Here is some videos of their jumps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzDrymKVmoc (Mick 18ft Texas relays)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSAEtTqF3-M (Peter 18'0 SIUE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfgpiKJFT8k (peter 18'3 EIU)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3jyL_fQA3s (peter 18ft drake relays)