Van Nuys - Mack 5.70, Johnson 4.68, Asay 4.38

[rainbowgirl28]

Johnson Vaults to #3 All-Time


Van Nuys- Pole Vaulters gathered at LA Valley College on Sunday afternoon for a competition. The meet featured Olympic Champion, Tim Mack. He won the men's competition with a clearance of 18-8 1/4 (5.70).
The women's competition was highlighted by NCAA Record Holder, Chelsea Johnson clearance of 15-4 1/4 (4.68) which makes her #3 All-time American behind Jennifer Stuczynski and Stacy Dragilia. Erin Asay
finished second place in 14-4 (4.38).

[BethelPV]

Thats great for Tim! I am glad to see him getting back up there!!

[tennpolevault]

Another season best for Mack. Looks like he is trying to dial up another season like 2004. Back then he did not start jumping well until Prefontaine when his training started to taper ......somebody can do the research and find his progression that year. I think he went about 5.55 @ Pre and 5.70 at the Arizona sky invite. Then he went 5.90, 5.85 at small meets leading up to the trials......could it be deja vu all over again? I hope so.

[jcoover]

Another season best for Mack. Looks like he is trying to dial up another season like 2004. Back then he did not start jumping well until Prefontaine when his training started to taper ......somebody can do the research and find his progression that year. I think he went about 5.55 @ Pre and 5.70 at the Arizona sky invite. Then he went 5.90, 5.85 at small meets leading up to the trials......could it be deja vu all over again? I hope so.

I hope you're right!! When I saw Mack jump 5.86m last year at Chula Vista while struggling with injuries, I had a feeling he would dial it in for this olympic year. Can't wait to see him keep it snowballin!!!

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=8414665

Local Olympic hopeful vaults to personal best
Posted: June 2, 2008 05:47 PM

Monday, June 2, 2008

Reported by: Andrew Masuda

CENTRAL COAST

Atascadero native Chelsea Johnson vaulted her way to a new personal best just weeks after fracturing her wrist.

The two-time NCAA pole vault champion set a new PR clearing 15 feet, 4 and one-quarter inches at a meet at Los Angeles Valley College on Sunday.

The jump is the third best jump ever in the United States. Even more remarkable is that this was Chelsea's first meet back since she fractured her wrist during practice five weeks ago.

Her win this weekend was her fourth straight meet win.

Chelsea remains a favorite to make team USA and a ticket to Beijing headed into next month's U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=8399669

Central Coast native back on track toward Beijing
Posted: May 29, 2008 11:47 PM

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Reported by: Ryan Foran

CENTRAL COAST

After a freak accident threw Chelsea Johnson's Olympic dreams off track, the Atascadero native is back on track to represent the red, white and blue in Beijing.

With the Olympic Trials just months away, Atascadero native Chelsea Johnson was clearing bar after bar and won three straight meets.

Olympics on KSBY.com
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Then last month she took a big vault in the wrong direction. The UCLA alum and two-time NCAA Champion fractured her wrist in practice and landed on the sidelines in a cast.

"It's hard just sitting and not doing what you're supposed to be doing at such an important time. It's probably one of the most frustrating things I've ever experienced," Johnson told Action News Sports during a practice a Cuesta College.

Her father and coach, Jan Johnson, a 1972 Olympic medalist, is there by her side helping provide support in every way possible after the unfortunate accident.

"We lost five weeks. We were jumping really awesome, just great. We just came out here and blew a pole up. It was really unexpected," said Jan.

Now, Chelsea is gripping without the cast and fully recovered physically. But the hard part she said was the mental jump.

"A little hesitation at first, just because it's still in the back of my mind, the break, a little traumatic. But the first couple of jumps were a little scary but since then it's been going really well," said Johnson.

While Chelsea wasn't able to vault for five crucial weeks, she said there was still plenty of training to be done.

"I used that time, I think, very wisely to get in the best shape possible. Jumping twice a week you have to keep your legs going good. And so without having to jump, I just ran out all my frustrations so I got into great shape," added Johnson.

With her frustrated frown turned upside down, Chelsea believes she is back and headed in the right direction once again, right toward Beijing for the upcoming summer games.

In order to qualify to represent the USA in Beijing, Chelsea must qualify at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon the last week in June.