Stuczynski inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame

[rainbowgirl28]

http://post-journal.com/page/content.de ... l?nav=5013

Stuczynski Was A Quick Learner In Pole Vaulting
POSTED: January 28, 2009 Save | Print | Email | Read comments | Post a comment
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At the age of 26, Fredonia's Jennifer Stuczynski has already accomplished far more than most people will even dream of in a lifetime.

Just to pick a subject, how many of us can say we've won an Olympic silver medal?

Stuczynski made her hometown beam with pride and drew national attention after she picked up that coveted honor by finishing second in the world in the women's pole vault event at the Beijing Summer Olympic Games in 2008.

Not bad for someone who was a little reluctant to take up the sport.

She'll be inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 16 along with Michael Heary, Mel McGinnis, Joe Mistretta and the late Julian Buesink.

Stuczynski grew up in Fredonia and enjoyed playing sports like volleyball, basketball and soccer, golf and softball before making the move to track and field during her senior year, where she claimed a state title in pentathlon.

After graduation in 2000, she moved on to Roberts Wesleyan College near Chili and continued to excel as basketball as she led her team to two appearances in the NCCAA championship game. She was named the NCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year in 2004, averaging 24.3 points per game and was the all-time leading scorer with 1,819 points.

She also found time to participate in track, winning NCAA titles in javelin, the 100-meter hurdles and, of course, the pole vault. She holds school records in that event, the 100-meter hurdles, the javelin, high jump, 400-meter hurdles, the 4 x 100 relay and the 4x400 relay.

In the spring of 2004, while a senior at Roberts Wesleyan, she joined forces with pole-vault coach Rick Suhr, who had already mentored two national high school champions, and the march to Olympic glory began.

Under Suhr's guidance, Stuczynski, in just six weeks, jumped 11 feet, 4 inches at the NAIA Championships and finished in sixth place.

There was much more to come.

Thanks to Suhr's superb coaching skills and Stuczynski's hard work, dedication and drive for nothing less than perfection, she rose to the top of the sport, becoming a six-time U.S. National Indoor and outdoor Champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and earned the ranking of second in the world, with only world-record holder Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva in front of her.

The stage was set to earn a trip to the 2008 Summer Games and Stuczynski proved she was ready for the big stage as she set a new U.S. pole-vaulting record of 16-1 during the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Ore.

Fredonia and the rest of Chautauqua County were in celebration mode and Stuczynski's name and picture were literally everywhere as she continued her preparation for her shot at an Olympic medal.

On Aug. 18 in Beijing, with two other Russian competitors hot on her heels, Stuczynski made the jump of her life for a medal, coming through with a 15-9 effort to earn the silver medal with her rival Isinbayeva claiming the gold and the Olympic dream became a reality.

The guest speaker at the induction dinner will be former Buffalo Bills placekicker Steve Christie and Bills play-by-play announcer John Murphy will be the emcee.

Tickets for the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame banquet are $50. They are available at the Jock Shop or at the Fredonia Food Mart. They are also available by contacting induction dinner chairman Chip Johnson at 485-6991.

[rainbowgirl28]

They are a little off on their facts... there is a big difference between the NCCAA and the NCAA, and Jenn did not win USAs 6 times between 2005 and 2007. She didn't even go to the outdoor meet in 2005.