Mark Hollis/Adam Pierson article

[rainbowgirl28]

http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/di ... ?id=423026

Vaulting to Beijing: Olympic trials just the beginning

06/27/2008, 9:35 am
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By Jimmy Street
jstreet@daily-journal.com
Neither Adam Pierson nor Mark Hollis needs to make it out of this weekend's U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., to validate his success in pole vaulting.
When the two began seriously competing in the sport, their main focus was earning a trip to the trials. But with a spot on the Olympic roster realistically within reach, the fact that their first goal has been attained doesn't mean the two don't want to make their dreams a reality this weekend.

"It's just great to be in a position to be able to succeed and keep improving on what you've been building on," Pierson said. "You get a shot towards the Olympics."

Pierson and Hollis will be among 24 hopefuls competing in the trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, where three vaulters will make the Olympic roster and another will be named an alternate.

The qualifying round kicks off tonight while the finals are held on Sunday.

Behind Brad Walker, who recently jumped 19 feet, 9 3/4 inches, a majority of the vaulters are very similar in talent. Among the rest, approximately 15 athletes are all jumping around 18-8, on average.

"Walker is heads above the whole world right now," Pierson said. "You've got one guy up in the 19s and then there are 15 guys that can go 18-8. It's going to be whoever can pull it together mentally."

Pierson's qualifying jump for Eugene was a leap of 18-2, while Hollis hit a mark of 18-10 1/4 to get into the trials.

The two vaulters are among the youngest to be a part of the field of 24, which leaves both feeling extremely positive about the future, even if they aren't able to make the Olympic roster this year.

"The trials were one of my first goals, but going to the Olympics and winning gold there and setting a world record have (become something I could do)," Hollis said. "Maybe not this year, but even in the future.

"Knowing that I have a chance to make the team this year is pretty cool. I know I'm capable. It's anybody's spot on any given day."

Television coverage of the trials begins at 11 p.m. tonight on the USA Network and continues on NBC at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Regardless of how things turn out this weekend, the experience of competing for a chance to go to Beijing fulfills a dream that both athletes have had since they were young boys.

"It's about the experience," Pierson said. "Not only do we get to go towards China, but we get to open doors to do the sport that we love. There's not a price you can put on doing something you love, traveling the world and making money at it."

For Hollis, the full-circle trip into the spotlight of the sport is what makes it special.

"As a little kid, you're always thinking about your heroes," Hollis said. "That could be a professional athlete, but to me it was an Olympian. (It wasn't) a particular person, just people who were in the Olympics.

"Knowing that I'm there, at the pinnacle of athletics and knowing that kids look up to me the same way I looked up to Olympians, is huge. It's just about the dream of coming from nowhere and being something incredible, something someone will remember for the rest of their life."

[IluvMarkHollis]

These 2 are great! Such great determination and work ethic. Look out for them in 2012!!!