Elites to jump in South Dakota

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http://www.yankton.net/stories/012805/o ... 8002.shtml

Flying High

THUMBS UP to the University of South Dakota, which with the help of former Coyote and 2004 Olympian Derek Miles, will bring four of the top men's pole vaulters in the world, including three former Olympians, to the DakotaDome Saturday afternoon for a friendly pole vault competition. Miles, 2004 silver medalist Toby Stevenson, 2000 Olympian Jeff Hartwig and up-and-comer Jeremy Scott, a Norfolk, Neb., native, will give South Dakota a taste of world-class competition. This type of talent typically only comes together at the biggest national meets, but USD and Miles are bringing it here for a second straight year. (Miles and Hartwig competed in the Dome in 2004).

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Derek jumped 5.80, Jeff jumped 5.70, Jeremy jumped 5.40ish, and Toby NH'd.

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Lots of great pictures if you click the link.


http://www.yankton.net/stories/013105/s ... 1033.shtml

Elite Vaulters Excite Dome Crowd

Miles Clears 19-0 1/2 To Top Elite Quartet Of Pole Vaulters

By: JAMES D. CIMBUREK
james.cimburek@yankton.net


Derek Miles celebrates after his winning vault in an elite pole vault competition at the DakotaDome Saturday. Miles, a 1996 University of South Dakota graduate and 2004 Olympian, was joined in the event by 2004 silver medalist Toby Stevenson, three-time Olympian and U.S. record holder Jeff Hartwig and up-and-coming vaulter Jeremy Scott, a Norfolk, Neb., native.

JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D


VERMILLION -- Traveling all the way across the state and getting just a couple hours of sleep didn't matter much to Rapid City's Bryan Keck and Ross Pfeifle -- not when the reward was a chance to see a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The Stevens High School student-athletes were among the approximately 1,100 people who crowded the northwest corner of the DakotaDome Saturday to take in a pole vault competition featuring three former Olympians and one of the top up-and-coming vaulters in the nation.

The event, part of the John Dalton Open, featured 2004 silver medalist Toby Stevenson, 2004 Olympian and University of South Dakota graduate Derek Miles, U.S. indoor and outdoor record holder Jeff Hartwig and Norfolk, Neb., native Jeremy Scott. Stevens, Miles and Hartwig are all ranked in the top 10 in the world, with Stevenson second and Miles fourth.

Keck and Pfeifle also competed Saturday, vaulting at 8:30 a.m. after arriving in Vermillion well past midnight. Still, the tiring experience was worth the trip, according to Keck.

"We just wanted to see these Olympians. These are high-class vaulters," said Keck, who got a section of pole signed by the four. "It was awesome."








Toby Stevenson, the 2004 silver medalist in the pole vault, autographs the T-shirt of Aberdeen¹s Alli Arampatzis after Saturday¹s competition. Approximately 1,100 people, including a number of young pole vaulters from across the state ‹ like Arampatzis ‹ came to Vermillion for the event.

JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D


Another youngster who made the trek with her family was Alli Arampatzis, a seventh grader at Aberdeen's Colgate Middle School, who looks to start competing in the event this spring.

"These guys all coming to South Dakota was pretty cool," she said.

Having a number of young vaulters in attendance was not a surprise, according to USD head track and field coach Dave Gottsleben.

"That shows you what vaulters will do to see other vaulters," he said. "Vaulters are a special breed. Vaulting is very difficult, and these guys make something very difficult look easy. Those kids appreciate that."

The fans were not the only ones who enjoyed the event. Stevenson, who did not clear his opening height of 18 feet, one-half inch, still liked his experience.

"The noise South Dakota was making was incredible," he said. "I wish I could have actually done something for such a wonderful crowd."

An atmosphere with music, crowd noise and the focus on these athletes was not lost to the competitors, according to Gottsleben.

"In the pole vault, you spend a lot of time and effort by yourself or with your coach. To have an environment where you are the show is motivating," he said. "Stevenson and Hartwig were amazed at the music, the video board, the crowd. They loved it."

Scott, fourth in the pole vault at the 2004 NCAA Division I meet as a member of the national champion Arkansas Razorbacks, started off the event, clearing 17-4 and 17-8 1/4 before bowing out with Stevenson at 18-0 1/2.

The youngest of the four competitors, with a number of family members in the crowd, Scott didn't let his nerves show as he cleared his first two heights on his first attempt and helped fire up the crowd.

"I got to be the opening act for the big show," he said. "Any time you can come to a place like this and get the fans behind you, it makes it so much fun. I wanted to give them something to cheer about."

Hartwig, who won a head-to-head competition with Miles at the Dome in 2004, went toe-to-toe with the local favorite before bowing out at 19-0 1/2. He finished second with 18-8 1/4.

Miles, who competed last in the rotation, made the winning height of 19-0 1/2 on his third and final attempt. Had he missed, both vaulters would have had one more shot, since they were tied.








Jeff Hartwig comes down on the other side of the bar during Saturday¹s competition. Hartwig, a three-time Olympian and the U.S. indoor and outdoor record holder, competed in Vermillion Saturday for the second time.

JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D


"It was kind of bittersweet. I liked to see him make it, but I also wanted one more attempt for myself," Hartwig said. "For Derek to make it and have a chance at a personal best and the top mark in the world was great."

Miles just missed on three attempts at 19-2 1/2, a mark that would not only have been a personal record but the world's best mark in the event so far in 2005.

"I would have liked to get 19-2 here," said Miles. His personal best of 19-1 was also achieved in the DakotaDome. "But I should be able to line up 19-2 in the next couple weeks. Then we'll go from there."

All four vaulters now move on to more serious competitions, beginning with the Millrose Games in New York this coming weekend, then on the Europe for a number of events. Each of the four took something to build on as they progress through the indoor season, then outside.

Hartwig and Miles each take momentum from a solid outing.

"Last week in Reno (at the Pole Vault Summit), I struggled a little bit. I felt I put six good jumps together," Hartwig said. "To make the first three heights on the first attempt was really encouraging for me."

For Stevenson, who flew in late Friday after a hard week of training, he takes the knowledge that there are better days ahead.

"I need to jump better, and I'm trying to keep that in mind," he said. "I can see the American record and the world record in my sights."

Scott looks forward to competing on one of the biggest stages in the American track scene.

"I'm really looking forward to the Millrose Games," he said. "It will be a big venue, New York City."

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Grande posted some pictures from the meet on his website.

http://www.jscott615.com/media.php