Chelsea Johnson ready to soar to a medal at Worlds

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=10895187

Atascadero native is America's top pole vault medal hope at Worlds

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Reported by: Andrew Masuda

Atascadero native Chelsea Johnson is now America's top contender for a medal in the women's pole vault at the upcoming IAAF World Championships.

Chelsea cleared 15 feet,one inch to finish second at the US National Track and Field Championships back in June to qualify for Worlds.

Monday, the top ranked American female pole vaulter and Beijing Silver medalist Jenn Stuczynski withdrew from Worlds with an achilles injury leaving Chelsea as the top ranked American in Berlin.

Chelsea has been competing in Europe the last few weeks preparing for Worlds winning a meet three weeks ago in Germany.

Russian Yelena Isinibayeva is the gold medal favorite at Worlds.

An American woman has not medaled at World's since 2001.

Chelsea will be one of five women with ties to the Central Coast on Team USA for Worlds joining former Cal Poly stars Maggie Vessey, Sharon Day, Stephanie Brown Trafton and Templeton native Chaunte Howard.

The championship starts Saturday in Berlin and runs through next Sunday.