Article 2 on the North American Pole Vault Championships

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High times in Clovis

The spirits of vaulters from across the country get a boost from the enthusiastic gathering at the 10th annual event.

By Ken Robison
The Fresno Bee

(Updated Sunday, August 8, 2004, 5:41 AM)


At 54, many men have narrowed their athletic pursuits to less-strenuous activities -- golf, tennis, slowpitch softball, maybe a jog or bike ride.

Steve Hardison still is flying high.

Hardison joined a group of pole vaulters half his age Friday in an attempt to set an age-group world record during the North American Pole Vault Association championships in downtown Clovis.

He jumped 14 feet, which would be a world record for him next year at age 55. But the failure to surpass his goal of 15 feet, 6 inches didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd, which cheered Hardison's every jump.

His efforts perfectly fit the spirit of the street vault held every August on Pollasky Avenue.

For the 10th year, a few thousand people crowded the vault pit and runway to watch athletes soar as high as the downtown rooftops. They cheered when vaulters succeeded, groaned when they didn't. The athletes responded with high-fives and autographs for kids who treated them as superstars, not just track athletes.

"This is the best pole vault competition in the country," said Justin Norberg, a recent finalist at the U.S. Olympic trials. "This is exactly what our sport needs. If there were more [events] like this one, our sport would be thriving.

"Bob Fraley is a genius."

Fraley, the Fresno State track coach who has been called "the P.T. Barnum of track and field," has promoted this popular vaultfest as a way to bring the sport into mainstream American culture -- and to get Valley residents out of the house on a warm August evening. This year's Clovis street vault drew its share of Olympic-year vaulters not headed for Athens. Norberg, Keenan King, Jim Davis and Tracy O'Hara are part of what Fraley called "the Olympic class of 2008."

Hardison, in contrast, is of the Olympic class of 1976. He failed to reach the finals in that year's Olympic trials.

The former Roosevelt High, Fresno City College and Fresno Pacific standout owns a printing shop in Fresno and uses track training as a way to wind down from the pressure of business.

"I get out [and run] on the ditchbanks for healing and stress relief," he said.

He won three NAIA pole vault championships in the early 1970s and has continued to vault at age-group "masters" meets into his 50s -- including traveling to Australia, Puerto Rico, England and South Africa for World Games competition.

He has broken age-group world records for 45-49 (15-9) and 50-54 (14-101/4). On Friday, Hardison was trying to reclaim the 50-54 record, aiming at the 4.71 meters (15-51/2) set last year by Wolfgang Ritte of Germany.

When Hardison cleared 14 feet, the crowd responded with shouts and raised fists. Hardison fell to his back in joy and relief. But he failed in three attempts at 14-6.

So did O'Hara, who won the women's division at 14 feet. The 22-year-old King won the men's division at 18 feet in his first appearance in Clovis and declared: "I love this. I'll come back anytime Coach calls me."

With 93 points, Scott Slover finished two points ahead of Norberg to win the NAPVA points race and earn approximately $2,000.

"That's a nice prize at the end of the summer," said Slover, who risked re-injuring his hamstring by competing in Clovis (he cleared 16 feet). "We don't make that much money in this sport."

Hardison won only the applause of the audience and admiration of his fellow competitors.

"He's an amazing athlete," San Jose vaulter John Besmer said. "He's been flying high all through his 40s."

Hardison said he'll try to catch Ritte a couple more times this year. But Hardison's best chance for a world record might be after he turns 55 next July. Hans Lagerquist of Sweden holds the men's 55-59 record of 4.26 meters (13-113/4).

"I hope I represent the old guys well," Hardison said before Friday's competition. "And if I live one more year, the [world record] is just 14 feet. I've got to hang in there."

The reporter can be reached at krobison@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6279.