Stevenson vs Hysong

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=131072/newsId=25301.html

Stevenson versus Hysong
Wednesday 19 May 2004

America's Toby Stevenson, the first man to clear six metres in the Pole Vault for three years, will go head to head with compatriot and reigning Olympic champion Nick Hysong at Carson, California on Saturday (22 May).

Stevenson, who vaulted exactly six metres at the Modesto Relays, will be looking to take the scalp of Hysong, who recorded 5.90 to earn the gold in Sydney four years ago.

Now the 27-year-old Stevenson, a Stanford University graduate, is hoping to clinch a place in Team USA for this summer's Games in Athens.

"My last two seasons have ended in injury, one with a broken ankle and the other with an accidental fall in Europe," said the self-coached athlete.

"Finally, last summer I competed all the way through it and took time off and then got to continue on with it. Other than that it's been just a growing process, basically."

"I'm here at the Olympic Training Centre in San Diego and I'm able to study the event as it pertains to me and only me. I think I've been trying to jump like other people up until now, before I took the time to realize that I've got the talent to jump this high."

"I just needed to figure out how to do it my way. I'm not saying my way is better than anybody else's, but my way is the right way for me, and I kind of evolved that strategy throughout the year."

Stevenson is convinced he can maintain his early season form and qualify for his first-ever Olympics after producing the superb six-metre vault.

"It's definitely a boundary to a lot of vaulters. Now that I've actually done six metres and also jumped 5.94m it actually makes it easier to do it again. Six metres would have won a gold medal in every Olympic Games up until now, and so would 5.94m. It does nothing but give me confidence."

Stevenson knows he must secure a top three place in the US trials to book his ticket to Athens.

He has no plans to take part in the early season Grand Prix meetings in Europe, but will travel abroad after the national trials in Sacramento.

"I definitely need to be a consistently high jumper because the Olympic trials are going to be nothing less than a war in the men's pole vault. There are so many good guys out there,'' he said.

"The day after I jump, I'll be heading overseas for several meets - especially if I make the team I'll be overseas for the majority of the summer. I was in Europe last summer for approximately two months and competed in a full season over there."

"Europe is hard to jump in. There are different conditions and different competitors. But, all in all, no matter where you're at, the event is still basically the same. It's adjusting to the facilities and how you feel and weather conditions."

[rainbowgirl28]

Stevenson, who vaulted exactly six metres at the Modesto Relays, will be looking to take the scalp of Hysong,

LOL

[vaulter894]

besides this article I haven't really heard a lot about Hysong or Johnson for that matter. Anyone know of how they been competing this season. i remember seeing something about Johnson trying to come back again but thats it.

[PVJunkie]

Toby..............6.00 followed by 5.94............Hysong with a bar raping PR of 5.90 4 yrs ago to become an oly gold medalist (amazing and awe inspiring)..........though, your only as good as your last meet. My $$$ is on Toby.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?!?!?!?!

[swtvault]

Toby and Nick aren't even in the same league. See PVjunkie comment.

[opalkak]

I seem to remember the 2000 Olympics as written off for a medal in the men's vault, as everyone said our best vaulter wasn't there (Jeff Hartwig). Then we walked away with a Gold medalist who hadn't Pr'd in almost four years, but did it at the meet (Nick Hysong), and a Silver medal from a very talented young guy as well (LoJo).

I hardly think it is fair for people to go around saying Toby and Nick aren't even in the same league. Not to take anything from Toby, but how many times has Toby had meets over 5.80m (I think I can still count them on one hand). But he's money right now and is getting it done. Lets take a look at the other 6m guy from America, It wasn't that long ago that he went on a streak and broke the American record multiple times putting it over 6m. How many meets has Jeff had over 5.80m?

America is full of talented individuals, the trials are like Toby said a battle. And hopefully the best athletes will rise to the top and represent our Nation well at the Olympics.

[Decamouse]

Look at the start list - lowest PR 5.76 - Brad Walker and Tye Harvey are the alternates!!!!!!! - Hysong has fourth best mark - other three over 6 meters - and it is on television!!!!!!

[PVJunkie]

After re reading my post it may have come across wrong. Nick is an awsome vaulter and will always have the GOLD. He came through in the most improtant meet of his career (to date). I guess the question here was...........

America's Toby Stevenson, the first man to clear six metres in the Pole Vault for three years, will go head to head with compatriot and reigning Olympic champion Nick Hysong at Carson, California on Saturday (22 May).


the opening line of the article. With the way Toby has been jumping you could have put almost anyones name in place of Nick in that opening sentence and my response would have been the same. You ARE only as good as your last meet.

[Skyin' Brian]

After re reading my post it may have come across wrong. Nick is an awsome vaulter and will always have the GOLD. He came through in the most improtant meet of his career (to date). I guess the question here was...........

America's Toby Stevenson, the first man to clear six metres in the Pole Vault for three years, will go head to head with compatriot and reigning Olympic champion Nick Hysong at Carson, California on Saturday (22 May).


the opening line of the article. With the way Toby has been jumping you could have put almost anyones name in place of Nick in that opening sentence and my response would have been the same. You ARE only as good as your last meet.

dont forget, in addition to the gold nick also has a bronze from the 2001 worlds to back it up.
lojo, nick, hartwig, harvey have all finished first or second or both in a world championship or olympics.

of course, i would have to agree that to pick anyone over toby at this point would be a little crazy but this the vault and anything can happen especially in the way that the US decides to pick our olympic team

[fong520]

Look at the start list - lowest PR 5.76 - Brad Walker and Tye Harvey are the alternates!!!!!!! - Hysong has fourth best mark - other three over 6 meters - and it is on television!!!!!!

whens it on tv.. wat day time adn channel?

[Azbeachboy1]

Somone do me a favor and look at how hartwig jumped indoors last year....Do that and get back to me.

[opalkak]

Somone do me a favor and look at how hartwig jumped indoors last year....Do that and get back to me.

http://www.jeffhartwig.com/2003.htm