Adam Keul article
Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:24 pm
http://media.www.thepinelog.com/media/s ... 4916.shtml
SFA grad assistant coach is U.S. Olympic team hopeful
By: Nathan Hague
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: News
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Media Credit: Michael Cavasos
Lumberjack assistant track coach Adam Keul is setting the bar high, in more ways than one.
The 2002 SFA graduate has pole vaulted since 1993, since the age of 13, and is planning on using his skills to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
The dream of being an Olympic athlete became a realistic one when he was an athlete on the Lumberjack track team. "When I was in school here, I jumped 18' 7.5" which you could say is in the range to qualify." Keul, 27, said "The peak age for Pole Vault is 28-32 so I've probably got at least another five or six years. I went to the Olympic tryouts in 2004, so it's been a possibility for a while, but 2008 should be my best chance yet."
Keul spends many of his summers in Europe training for the opportunity to be one of only three Americans selected to represent Team USA. "There might be 10 people who are qualified from the US, but only three go. I trained in Europe this summer in Slovenia and my training partner was a Slovenian National champion and he jumped four inches lower than me but went to the Olympics," Keul said. "So, you're kind of at a disadvantage as an American, but if you do make it, you're going to have a good shot at medaling. I would be satisfied at a number of things, but I would like to at least make a US team."
Keul talked about his love for US Olympics and said he even watches curling. He said that all he wants is to be able to represent his country. "Oh, that would be wonderful," he said. "Especially since the US has the greatest pole vaulters. We've been challenged in the last 20 years, but I believe we're the best. To be in the top three of that group would be a huge accomplishment and I'd be proud to represent the US. It would be a great honor," he said.
Not only is he excited about possibly representing his home country, but to represent his home state, as well. "I'm real proud of East Texas. This is where I've always wanted to be. I've moved away and come back a couple times," he said.
It would mean a lot to mean to me to represent East Texas and Texas as a whole. Several people around here have helped me along the way, especially at SFA, in high school and all over. It would be awesome for me to say 'thank you', give them a shout out, and make them proud."
During speeches about how he got to where he is today, he tells people "I happened to have found pole vaulting and have been good at it for a long time. I was gifted in and worked hard, but I was made for it. Not everyone's made to be an NFL player even though they think they are. I tell people to find something you're world-class at. It may be basket weaving or mowing lawns, but if you're real good at it, people are going to respect what you're doing. It's best to find something you're good at and like, and stick to it."
Keul has traveled all over the world and US and said "My favorite part is probably getting to travel and see the world."
Maybe Beijing, China will be his destination for 2008.
SFA grad assistant coach is U.S. Olympic team hopeful
By: Nathan Hague
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: News
Article Tools
Page 1 of 1
Media Credit: Michael Cavasos
Lumberjack assistant track coach Adam Keul is setting the bar high, in more ways than one.
The 2002 SFA graduate has pole vaulted since 1993, since the age of 13, and is planning on using his skills to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
The dream of being an Olympic athlete became a realistic one when he was an athlete on the Lumberjack track team. "When I was in school here, I jumped 18' 7.5" which you could say is in the range to qualify." Keul, 27, said "The peak age for Pole Vault is 28-32 so I've probably got at least another five or six years. I went to the Olympic tryouts in 2004, so it's been a possibility for a while, but 2008 should be my best chance yet."
Keul spends many of his summers in Europe training for the opportunity to be one of only three Americans selected to represent Team USA. "There might be 10 people who are qualified from the US, but only three go. I trained in Europe this summer in Slovenia and my training partner was a Slovenian National champion and he jumped four inches lower than me but went to the Olympics," Keul said. "So, you're kind of at a disadvantage as an American, but if you do make it, you're going to have a good shot at medaling. I would be satisfied at a number of things, but I would like to at least make a US team."
Keul talked about his love for US Olympics and said he even watches curling. He said that all he wants is to be able to represent his country. "Oh, that would be wonderful," he said. "Especially since the US has the greatest pole vaulters. We've been challenged in the last 20 years, but I believe we're the best. To be in the top three of that group would be a huge accomplishment and I'd be proud to represent the US. It would be a great honor," he said.
Not only is he excited about possibly representing his home country, but to represent his home state, as well. "I'm real proud of East Texas. This is where I've always wanted to be. I've moved away and come back a couple times," he said.
It would mean a lot to mean to me to represent East Texas and Texas as a whole. Several people around here have helped me along the way, especially at SFA, in high school and all over. It would be awesome for me to say 'thank you', give them a shout out, and make them proud."
During speeches about how he got to where he is today, he tells people "I happened to have found pole vaulting and have been good at it for a long time. I was gifted in and worked hard, but I was made for it. Not everyone's made to be an NFL player even though they think they are. I tell people to find something you're world-class at. It may be basket weaving or mowing lawns, but if you're real good at it, people are going to respect what you're doing. It's best to find something you're good at and like, and stick to it."
Keul has traveled all over the world and US and said "My favorite part is probably getting to travel and see the world."
Maybe Beijing, China will be his destination for 2008.
