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I'll be going to SUNY Binghamton this fall for pole vault, and want to know what are the most important things to be prepared for, expect, etc.. of college vaulting (binghamton is D1 so that might determine responses in some way) Thanks in advance for any repleis

Spending my freshman year in upstate NY, I would have this advice:

Don't expect to EVER practice outdoors.

lol, he is so right

dont expect to vault "fresh" you will always be sore!!!

1st year in a hard workign college program can be difficult for some people... sometimes your body goes through so many adjustments that its hard to react.

bjvando wrote:dont expect to vault "fresh" you will always be sore!!!

1st year in a hard workign college program can be difficult for some people... sometimes your body goes through so many adjustments that its hard to react.

Yes this is true, that's what highschool kids or at least the ones that i vaulted with, would always not take into account, they never wanted to push the limits because they were "saving" their strength to vault...but because of this thats why they never get any stronger or faster..

I am currently a vaulter at Binghamton. the weather is usually bad, but the good thing is that you are getting here at a good time. I have noticed a big change just in the two years i have been here in the locations of the outdoor meets. we have moved south to go to a lot more high profile meets. we get down to wake and virginia in the early season. the big thing to remember is to just not care about the weather, think about things you can control, and dont let other things control you.

if you are like me, sorta a laid back person, then you will like coach thompson. he is a vault bum and is also the head coach. he knows his stuff, just trust him and work hard and you will get better. all the vaulters really like him and they are all vaulting pretty well, girls and guys.

the first few months will stink, and wait till you run stairs and hills. but that stuff is just giving you fuel and you will feel like a new vaulter when you start the season. plus that stuff is great for team building, and since the team here is so small everyone gets to be really close.

well i cant wait to meet you, and have you on the team!

rory

Well said Rory. I had the privilege of practicing and competing with the Binghamton vaulters while I was vaulting for Cortland State. They would come up to Cortland to practice at our indoor track. Coach Thompson is a great vaulter, great guy, and very knowledgable. It's a great school too, my sister graduated from there. Good luck!

Kris

Everything is going to change. Your run will change, your technique will change, your weight will change...so be prepared for change. Don't be affraid to make these adjustments...even if it means jumping lower for a while. I wish I could trade places with you; I just graduated and already miss my college days.