Breanna Eveland Article (Kansas State)

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http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/ind ... 592110.xml

Eveland soars among the best in U.S.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
By Steve Ungrey
The Grand Rapids Press
Breanna Eveland remembers going to Kansas State University two years ago and being in awe of women who could soar 14 feet in the air while competing in pole vault.

Eveland can now count herself among that elite group of vaulters, and it has resulted in an invitation to one of the most exclusive tournaments of the year.

The former East Kentwood standout capped her junior year at Kansas State with her best outdoor track finish at the NCAA Division I national championships, which concluded Sunday in Sacramento, Calif

"It was awesome, the best competition I've been to in my time here," said Eveland, who finished in fourth place with a vault of 14 feet, 1 inch.

Washington senior Kate Soma won the competition with a 14-1 1/4, and she was one of three seniors to finish ahead of Eveland.

Barring the appearance of any strong competition next year or a slump on Eveland's part, that should set her up as one of the favorites for the 2006 competition.

"It's amazing how far pole vaulting has come," Eveland said. "It's something how high the women are jumping and more women are getting involved in this event. I've been out there gaining speed and momentum and doing some extra stuff with gymnastics and in the weight room."

The extra emphasis on gymnastics paid off for Eveland, as it has helped improve her body awareness and control with the pole vault.

"Knowing where and when to pull yourself up (to get over the bar) is crucial, it utilizes a different kind of strength and good stabilizing muscles," Eveland said.

Eveland's previous best leap was 13-11 3/4, which came at the NCAA Midwest Regional last month in Oklahoma City. She finished third in the nation in the pole vault at the NCAA indoor track and field championships in Fayetteville, Ark., in March (13-9 1/4).

Eveland will work with pole vault coach Cliff Rovelto to improve her vaulting and to prepare for her senior year at Kansas State, but there is one competition still on the schedule that she didn't plan for.

Eveland earned an invitation to the USA Junior Nationals June 24-25 in Carson, Calif. Only a handful of collegiate and professional athletes get a chance to compete in this meet, including Stacy Dragila, regarded as the strongest women's pole vaulter in the nation.

"It's going to be a thrill," Eveland said. "People I'd idolized in pole vault I'll now get a chance to compete against. I've just been blessed with what's happened."

It has been a whirlwind spring for Eveland, who also set the Division I women's decathlon record with a score of 6,821 points in April.

Staying grounded has been tough, but the thought of traveling to Helsinki, Finland for World Junior Nationals if she qualifies is enough to make anyone excited.

"It's been kind of weird," Eveland said. "I came out here thinking 12 feet in pole vault was pretty good and I looked up to girls who were leaping 14 feet."