Top Vaulter, Walker in Stockton

[KLocke]

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... /804270325

TOP VAULTER WOWS FESTIVAL
WALKER'S OLYMPIC QUEST BEGINS IN STOCKTON

By Bob Highfill
April 27, 2008
Record Staff Writer

STOCKTON - It isn't every day when the top-ranked pole vaulter in the world shows off his skills on the streets of downtown Stockton.
In fact, Brad Walker safely can say he was the first.
And as hundreds watched Walker and other vaulters from the Tri-Valley Athletics Club apply their trade on Saturday at the Stockton Asparagus Festival, the youngsters in the audience probably had no idea how the 26-year-old from Spokane, Wash., got his start in middle school.
"My junior high school coach asked who wanted to try the pole vault," Walker said. "And I raised my hand."

Walker's adventurous spirit and mental toughness have sustained him during a 15-year career in which he has ascended to the top of his sport. The reigning U.S. indoor champion and 2007 world outdoor champion is training for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials with about 20 other elite athletes representing Tri-Valley Athletics Club at a warehouse on Rough and Ready Island. His goal is to medal at the trials and represent the U.S. at the Olympics this summer in Beijing.

"I've been working hard so it is possible," said Walker, who is sponsored by Nike. "Since I've been ranked No. 1 in the world, that hasn't changed."
What has changed is Walker's training regimen under the direction of renowned coach Dan Pfaff, who works with the athletes at Rough and Ready Island. Among Pfaff's gifts is the ability to diagnose injuries and develop training programs to help prevent them. Walker, who has battled lower back problems for several years, met Pfaff about a year ago.
"He came to me last spring with these injuries and he wasn't getting answers," Pfaff said. "He heard through the grapevine what we were doing here, and he came down and liked what he saw."
Walker said he pays more attention to his diet and makes sure he gets enough rest. He gets treatment and therapy when needed through the club, and Pfaff has been instrumental coming up with workout programs to keep his back healthy.

One of the critical factors, Pfaff said, was improving Walker's efficiency on his approach.
"When you're running full speed and planting an 18-foot pole into a hole in the ground, running efficiency is so critical," Pfaff said. "You miss that box, next time is not guaranteed."
Pfaff hasn't had to work on improving Walker's mental toughness, which he's demonstrated numerous times over his career.
At the 2006 World Outdoor Championships in Moscow, Walker experienced a near disaster when he hit his head outside the pit during a practice attempt prior to qualifying. He went on to qualify for the final and won it with a jump of 19-feet, 1/4-inch. Walker's back injuries prevented him from training the five weeks prior to the 2007 World Outdoor Championships in Osaka, Japan. He won anyway with a vault of 19-23/4.
"Pole vaulting is extremely mental," Walker said. "I don't know how I got it, but that's what has allowed me to be successful."

Saturday's event at the Asparagus Festival signaled the start of Walker's outdoor season. Everything is leading to the Olympic trials in late June at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

"I'm confident to go against the top people in the U.S. and the world," Walker said. "I'm excited about the coming months."

[rainbowgirl28]

Results?

[vaultmd]

Code: Select all

1. Becky Holliday                         4.40
2. Leila Ben-Youssef                      4.20
3. Erica Bartolina                        4.20
4. Carly Dockendorf                       4.20
5. Kathryn Schauerhamer                   4.05
6. Kate Conwell                           4.05
    Tracy O'Hara                          NH
    Niki McEwen                           DNS

No time for X's and O's. Sorry.

[vaultmd]

Code: Select all

1. Brad Walker          5.75
2. Tommy Skipper        5.60
3. Jeff Ryan            5.60
4. Brian DaCunha        5.50
5. Bubba McLean         5.35
6. Paul Litchfield      5.35   
   Tye Harvey             NH
   Yoo Kim                NH

Again, no time for X's and O's

Brad came from some short run. I think he started the meet from 6 lefts; but I think he might have moved back a little when the bar went up.

[rainbowgirl28]

Code: Select all

3. Jeff Ryan            5.35
4. Brian DaCunha        5.50


Are the heights right or the places?

[vaultmd]

Code: Select all

3. Jeff Ryan            5.35
4. Brian DaCunha        5.50


Are the heights right or the places?

Actually, I screwed up a lot of the results. They are fixed now.

I neglected to mention that Brian's was a PR.

[VTechVaulter]

BUBBAS BACK!!! thats awesoem