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An inside look at the track and field trials
Scott Ostler
-- Rock star. Least likely to sneak up on the Olympics: pole vaulter Toby Stevenson.
Stevenson, a Stanford grad who came into the meet the world's hottest vaulter, finished second in the vaulting competition and first in the dancing competition.
In an event that tends to attract oddballs and glamour guys, Stevenson is a bit of both. In his rollerblading safety helmet, long hair and goatee, and with his pit-dancing, he's a cross between Mick Jagger and Rocky the Flying Squirrel.
Stevenson joined the exclusive 6-meter club in May, the 11th man in history to clear the height (and the second American) with his 19-8 1/4 vault in Modesto. Sunday his 19-2 1/4 got him a strong second, and his wild celebrations in the pit after each successful vault made him a crowd favorite.
The IOC has asked American Olympians to tone down the Terrell Owens-type stuff at the Olympics so as not to inflame any anti-American sentiment that might be lurking in Athens.
"I'm going to be respectful," Stevenson said, "but I'm going to live my Olympic dream. I hope they don't see it as showboating. I've been to meets in Europe and the crowd loves it. I think they're just going to be track fans (in Athens). ... I'm having a great time, and the crowd wants to see a show."
Stevenson isn't the only vaulter who dances on clouds -- landing pits - - but he's got the best moves. He said the celebrations help fire up the crowd, which helps fire him up, and a high time is had by all. Sunday was the first time, though, that he planned each dance in advance, so as to conserve mental energy for the vaulting.
For Athens?
"I've got a lot of surprises," Stevenson said, "everything from the Robot to the Running Man."
Trials Articles
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rainbowgirl28
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rainbowgirl28
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* With his wavy, shoulder-length dark hair partially tucked inside a protective helmet, and every successful vault punctuated by rather boisterous, dramatic gestures, Toby Stevenson might be perceived as a James Dean wannabe. Sort of a rebel with a pole. Yet while USOC officials surely have called his attention to a directive urging U.S. athletes to mind their manners in Athens, the former Stanford star suggests his exuberant displays will be tasteful, though not eliminated. "I'm going to be respectful," he said, after finishing second, "but I'm going to live my Olympic dreams. I hope they (spectators in Athens) don't see it as showboating. I've been overseas before and been in several big meets, and the crowd loves it over there. I think plain and simple, they're going to be track fans. Forget countries. That's not what the Olympics are about. It's about putting down the guns and coming together for a united front in athletic competition."
* With his wavy, shoulder-length dark hair partially tucked inside a protective helmet, and every successful vault punctuated by rather boisterous, dramatic gestures, Toby Stevenson might be perceived as a James Dean wannabe. Sort of a rebel with a pole. Yet while USOC officials surely have called his attention to a directive urging U.S. athletes to mind their manners in Athens, the former Stanford star suggests his exuberant displays will be tasteful, though not eliminated. "I'm going to be respectful," he said, after finishing second, "but I'm going to live my Olympic dreams. I hope they (spectators in Athens) don't see it as showboating. I've been overseas before and been in several big meets, and the crowd loves it over there. I think plain and simple, they're going to be track fans. Forget countries. That's not what the Olympics are about. It's about putting down the guns and coming together for a united front in athletic competition."
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http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2004 ... 4f11e3.txt
Pauli misses in pole vault
By Courier staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. â€â€
Pauli misses in pole vault
By Courier staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. â€â€
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Mack reaches new high
Ex-Vol wins pole vault, makes Olympic team
By BY DAVID LASSEN, Special to the News Sentinel
July 12, 2004
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Tim Mack's victory in the pole vault at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials Sunday was a little like the reality-TV series "Survivor," in that he had to outwit and outlast the competition.
Five of the 13 finalists went out in relatively short order, but the remaining eight were more stubborn.
Ultimately, only Mack and Toby Stevenson cleared 19 feet, 2 1/4 inches, the eighth height of the day, ensuring the former University of Tennessee athlete and Knoxville resident his first trip to the Olympics. When Mack went on to clear 19-4 1/4, he was the last man on the island.
"I thought 80 would probably do it," said Mack, referring to 5.80 meters, or 19- 1/2, "the way everybody was jumping. But then a few guys jumped 80 ahead of me, and I missed it. It didn't really matter if I made 80 or not at that point. I think I was in fourth or fifth. So I had to pass it.
"I was just sticking with my guns as much as possible. There are thoughts that can creep in, like, 'Oh, man, what pole do I need to be on? Is the wind all right? Am I going to make it or miss it, or whatever.' But it was really tough to just keep myself into that frame of mind where, you know, just forget it, I'm going to make it. ... It was pretty darned tough to keep your mindset with everything going on."
At the next height, 19-2 1/4, Mack missed on his first attempt and cleared on his second, brushing the bar in the process. Hitting that attempt proved to be the difference between elimination and a trip to Athens.
"I knew I didn't brush it that hard," he said. "I've hit bars a lot harder.
"When I brushed it, I knew I didn't hit it hard enough for it to fall. You can feel it after a while."
Mack then cleared 19-4 1/4 on his first attempt, shifting the tactical onus to Stevenson, who missed his first attempt at that height, then passed on the next two.
"I was fully expecting to have to make 90 inches (Mack's winning height) to make the team," said Stevenson. "Tim made it, first shot, killed it, and then I missed it on my first. And then everyone else kind of went out, so I decided to go ahead and pass, and then play a passing game with Tim."
With the bar raised to 5.95 meters, or 19-6 1/4, Mack passed until Stevenson had missed his two attempts, clinching the victory.
Mack's winning mark was just 1/2 inch off the U.S. trials record of 19-4 3/4, set by Kory Tarpenning in 1988 at Indianapolis. Until he was asked about it afterward, he had no idea.
"I was really just kind of going with whatever marks were presented to us," he said, "and trying to keep myself in the competition until it was pretty much final."
Mack reaches new high
Ex-Vol wins pole vault, makes Olympic team
By BY DAVID LASSEN, Special to the News Sentinel
July 12, 2004
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Tim Mack's victory in the pole vault at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials Sunday was a little like the reality-TV series "Survivor," in that he had to outwit and outlast the competition.
Five of the 13 finalists went out in relatively short order, but the remaining eight were more stubborn.
Ultimately, only Mack and Toby Stevenson cleared 19 feet, 2 1/4 inches, the eighth height of the day, ensuring the former University of Tennessee athlete and Knoxville resident his first trip to the Olympics. When Mack went on to clear 19-4 1/4, he was the last man on the island.
"I thought 80 would probably do it," said Mack, referring to 5.80 meters, or 19- 1/2, "the way everybody was jumping. But then a few guys jumped 80 ahead of me, and I missed it. It didn't really matter if I made 80 or not at that point. I think I was in fourth or fifth. So I had to pass it.
"I was just sticking with my guns as much as possible. There are thoughts that can creep in, like, 'Oh, man, what pole do I need to be on? Is the wind all right? Am I going to make it or miss it, or whatever.' But it was really tough to just keep myself into that frame of mind where, you know, just forget it, I'm going to make it. ... It was pretty darned tough to keep your mindset with everything going on."
At the next height, 19-2 1/4, Mack missed on his first attempt and cleared on his second, brushing the bar in the process. Hitting that attempt proved to be the difference between elimination and a trip to Athens.
"I knew I didn't brush it that hard," he said. "I've hit bars a lot harder.
"When I brushed it, I knew I didn't hit it hard enough for it to fall. You can feel it after a while."
Mack then cleared 19-4 1/4 on his first attempt, shifting the tactical onus to Stevenson, who missed his first attempt at that height, then passed on the next two.
"I was fully expecting to have to make 90 inches (Mack's winning height) to make the team," said Stevenson. "Tim made it, first shot, killed it, and then I missed it on my first. And then everyone else kind of went out, so I decided to go ahead and pass, and then play a passing game with Tim."
With the bar raised to 5.95 meters, or 19-6 1/4, Mack passed until Stevenson had missed his two attempts, clinching the victory.
Mack's winning mark was just 1/2 inch off the U.S. trials record of 19-4 3/4, set by Kory Tarpenning in 1988 at Indianapolis. Until he was asked about it afterward, he had no idea.
"I was really just kind of going with whatever marks were presented to us," he said, "and trying to keep myself in the competition until it was pretty much final."
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http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/article ... news03.txt
Track & Field: Miles earns spot on U.S. Olympic team
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Dreams really do come true - just ask University South Dakota graduate and former Coyote track and field standout Derek Miles.
On Sunday, Miles earned his way onto the U.S. Olympic Team with a third place finish in the pole vault competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials held at the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex in Sacramento, Calif.
Miles, who competes for the Nike/Bell Athletics Club, was third with a vault of 19-0-1/4, and will be joined on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team's pole vault squad with Tim Mack, who won the U.S. Trials competition at 19-4-1/4; and Toby Stevenson, who finished second, going 19-2-1/4.
Miles, who was the alternate on the 2000 U.S. Olympic pole vault team, becomes USD's second Olympian and will compete in the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad that begin Aug. 13 in Athens, Greece.
Gene Vidal, the father of author Gore Vidal, is the other USD graduate to compete in the Olympic Games. Vidal competed at Antwerp, Belgium in 1920.
"It is ultimate thrill to see this happen," said USD track and field coach Lucky Huber, who coached Miles at USD and remains a close friend and advisor. "As a kid you dream about the possibility of making the Olympics and competing for your country. And, as a coach, you also hope that one day you can see someone you coached do the impossible and make the Olympic team," added. Huber. "It is the ultimate rush to see it happen."
USD track and field director Dave Gottsleben also noted the significance of Miles' achievement.
"It is phenomenal what Derek accomplished today," added Gottsleben. "Here is a someone who came to USD as skinny little guy with a big dream of someday competing in the Olympics. He went to work and got it done," said Gottsleben. "We are so proud of Derek. He was outstanding at the Trials in a very competitive and talented field," he said.
Track & Field: Miles earns spot on U.S. Olympic team
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Dreams really do come true - just ask University South Dakota graduate and former Coyote track and field standout Derek Miles.
On Sunday, Miles earned his way onto the U.S. Olympic Team with a third place finish in the pole vault competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials held at the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex in Sacramento, Calif.
Miles, who competes for the Nike/Bell Athletics Club, was third with a vault of 19-0-1/4, and will be joined on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team's pole vault squad with Tim Mack, who won the U.S. Trials competition at 19-4-1/4; and Toby Stevenson, who finished second, going 19-2-1/4.
Miles, who was the alternate on the 2000 U.S. Olympic pole vault team, becomes USD's second Olympian and will compete in the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad that begin Aug. 13 in Athens, Greece.
Gene Vidal, the father of author Gore Vidal, is the other USD graduate to compete in the Olympic Games. Vidal competed at Antwerp, Belgium in 1920.
"It is ultimate thrill to see this happen," said USD track and field coach Lucky Huber, who coached Miles at USD and remains a close friend and advisor. "As a kid you dream about the possibility of making the Olympics and competing for your country. And, as a coach, you also hope that one day you can see someone you coached do the impossible and make the Olympic team," added. Huber. "It is the ultimate rush to see it happen."
USD track and field director Dave Gottsleben also noted the significance of Miles' achievement.
"It is phenomenal what Derek accomplished today," added Gottsleben. "Here is a someone who came to USD as skinny little guy with a big dream of someday competing in the Olympics. He went to work and got it done," said Gottsleben. "We are so proud of Derek. He was outstanding at the Trials in a very competitive and talented field," he said.
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McLean fails to clear opening height in finals
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Maui's Robert ''Bubba'' McLean's quest for an Olympic pole vault spot will have to wait four more years.
McLean advanced to Sunday's finals by clearing the 17-8 1/2 in Friday's preliminaries at the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex in Sacramento. On Sunday, however, McLean made three attempts at the opening height of 17-8 1/2 and ''either knocked it (crossbar) down at the top or on the way down.''
The Bell Athletics team member was the only qualifier who no-heighted on Sunday. Two others, McLean's best friend, Daniel Ryland, and Keenan King, were the only vaulters to jump the opening height.
The other 10 finalist passed on the opening height and came in at 18-0 1/4, where Ryland and King were eliminated.
''This is the best I've felt all year,'' McLean said. ''I was jumping on the biggest
pole I've ever
been on and it's frustrating because I felt ready on the right day.''
McLean said he was using the same pole that helped him record his personal best height of 18-8 1/2 two weeks ago.
''I was running faster than I ever have before and felt better than I ever have,'' McLean said. ''I was relaxed and confident, and it's too bad that it didn't translate to a good height. But that's how it goes in the pole vault. I'm not disappointed, because I came here and I feel good that I left it all out there on the track and I didn't cave in.''
McLean's former prep coach, Allen Duarte of St. Anthony High School, was one of more than a dozen friends and family members in attendance Sunday. He talked with McLean after the competition and said the Kula resident was upbeat.
''He was actually very encouraged. Because, if anything, he realizes that he's continuing to make progress in the event and that he belongs with the elite vaulters in the nation,'' Duarte said.
Timothy Mack, the 2001 Goodwill Games gold medalist, won the event with a height of 19-4 1/4. The 2004 world leader Toby Stevenson was second in 19-2 1/4, while Derek Miles, who missed the 2000 Olympic Team in a jumpoff, was third at 19-0 1/4.
McLean's next season starts this week in Europe, where he will compete in five meets before returning home Sept. 1.
''I'm getting so close, I feel like a lot of good things are going to happen in Europe,'' McLain said.
McLean fails to clear opening height in finals
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Maui's Robert ''Bubba'' McLean's quest for an Olympic pole vault spot will have to wait four more years.
McLean advanced to Sunday's finals by clearing the 17-8 1/2 in Friday's preliminaries at the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex in Sacramento. On Sunday, however, McLean made three attempts at the opening height of 17-8 1/2 and ''either knocked it (crossbar) down at the top or on the way down.''
The Bell Athletics team member was the only qualifier who no-heighted on Sunday. Two others, McLean's best friend, Daniel Ryland, and Keenan King, were the only vaulters to jump the opening height.
The other 10 finalist passed on the opening height and came in at 18-0 1/4, where Ryland and King were eliminated.
''This is the best I've felt all year,'' McLean said. ''I was jumping on the biggest
pole I've ever
been on and it's frustrating because I felt ready on the right day.''
McLean said he was using the same pole that helped him record his personal best height of 18-8 1/2 two weeks ago.
''I was running faster than I ever have before and felt better than I ever have,'' McLean said. ''I was relaxed and confident, and it's too bad that it didn't translate to a good height. But that's how it goes in the pole vault. I'm not disappointed, because I came here and I feel good that I left it all out there on the track and I didn't cave in.''
McLean's former prep coach, Allen Duarte of St. Anthony High School, was one of more than a dozen friends and family members in attendance Sunday. He talked with McLean after the competition and said the Kula resident was upbeat.
''He was actually very encouraged. Because, if anything, he realizes that he's continuing to make progress in the event and that he belongs with the elite vaulters in the nation,'' Duarte said.
Timothy Mack, the 2001 Goodwill Games gold medalist, won the event with a height of 19-4 1/4. The 2004 world leader Toby Stevenson was second in 19-2 1/4, while Derek Miles, who missed the 2000 Olympic Team in a jumpoff, was third at 19-0 1/4.
McLean's next season starts this week in Europe, where he will compete in five meets before returning home Sept. 1.
''I'm getting so close, I feel like a lot of good things are going to happen in Europe,'' McLain said.
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rainbowgirl28
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http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story ... y_no=14663
Harvey just misses in bid for Olympics
Published: July 12, 2004
SACRAMENTO â€â€
Harvey just misses in bid for Olympics
Published: July 12, 2004
SACRAMENTO â€â€
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in Print
If it was in a newpaper or on a web sit - it must be true 
How about a short peg world record 
How about a short peg world record Plant like crap sometimes ok most times
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rainbowgirl28
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http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascit ... 711.htm?1c
Posted on Wed, Jul. 14, 2004
Russians raise bar
U.S. pole vaulter Stacy Dragila changes her training to keep up with world's best
By MECHELLE VOEPEL
The Kansas City Star
SACRAMENTO, Calif. â€â€
Posted on Wed, Jul. 14, 2004
Russians raise bar
U.S. pole vaulter Stacy Dragila changes her training to keep up with world's best
By MECHELLE VOEPEL
The Kansas City Star
SACRAMENTO, Calif. â€â€
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Changes May Help Dragila Win at Trials
By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Stacy Dragila (news - web sites) was the first women's pole vault champion in Olympic history.
She could be the second, too, thanks to a move to the desert, a change in coaches and a drastic overhaul of her vaulting technique.
The 33-year-old Dragila is the overwhelming favorite to win at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials this weekend, then is expected to face two young Russians for the gold medal in Athens.
"Right now I'm in the mix with them, and I'm ready for that challenge," Dragila said. "I'm ready to step up to the plate."
A year ago at the world championships in Paris, Dragila finished fourth â€â€
Changes May Help Dragila Win at Trials
By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Stacy Dragila (news - web sites) was the first women's pole vault champion in Olympic history.
She could be the second, too, thanks to a move to the desert, a change in coaches and a drastic overhaul of her vaulting technique.
The 33-year-old Dragila is the overwhelming favorite to win at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials this weekend, then is expected to face two young Russians for the gold medal in Athens.
"Right now I'm in the mix with them, and I'm ready for that challenge," Dragila said. "I'm ready to step up to the plate."
A year ago at the world championships in Paris, Dragila finished fourth â€â€
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