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The term "Elite" is thrown around a lot to classify the best vaulters in the world. "Emerging Elite" is a term used to define those vaulters that are on the verge and have the potential to become elite, but haven't yet. What separates the two?

What pr height would qualify a U.S. vaulter as an "elite?"

or

How about just qualifying for U.S. Nationals/Olympic Trials?

or

Is it a question of consistency? What height would you have to be consistent at to be considered elite?

and if so...

What defines consistency? 3 times over a given height? more?

or

Is it a question of physical ability? Example: all males running over 9 meters per second (females over 8) that can clean 1.5 times their body weight and perform multiple giant swings.

so...

once "Elite" criterion are established, apply a set of criterion for "Emerging Elite."

Finally,

Make a list of all the current/active (meaning they competed this year) elites and emerging elites with ages, pr's, coaches, schools/universities attended, and pole brands they jump on.

Basically, this is a classification experiment. Have fun with it!

lonestar wrote:The term "Elite" is thrown around a lot to classify the best vaulters in the world. "Emerging Elite" is a term used to define those vaulters that are on the verge and have the potential to become elite, but haven't yet. What separates the two?

What pr height would qualify a U.S. vaulter as an "elite?"

I'm going to say 18'6" for guys and 14'6" or maybe 4.40 for girls.

How about just qualifying for U.S. Nationals/Olympic Trials?

Nah I think you can be a better emerging elite and qualify, and NH or not make finals.

Is it a question of consistency? What height would you have to be consistent at to be considered elite?

and if so...

What defines consistency? 3 times over a given height? more?

I think consistency is definitely important, but I don't know what numbers to put on it. I think being consistent at the big meets is what is important. Who cares if you NH at some home meet in the rain, if you PR at all the championships. On the same note, who cares if you go big in your backyard, if you suck it up when the pressure is on.

Is it a question of physical ability? Example: all males running over 9 meters per second (females over 8) that can clean 1.5 times their body weight and perform multiple giant swings.

I think physical ability plays a big role in moving from emerging elite to elite.

once "Elite" criterion are established, apply a set of criterion for "Emerging Elite."

I'd say 13'6" for girls and 17'6" for guys... and indication that there is potential to go higher. Maybe a minimum speed depending on height. I don't know.

Make a list of all the current/active (meaning they competed this year) elites and emerging elites with ages, pr's, coaches, schools/universities attended, and pole brands they jump on.

Basically, this is a classification experiment. Have fun with it!

I don't think my attention span is long enough to do that

Maybe later

I think this is a moving target based (somewhat) on age...........if we are only speaking of world class elite vaulters we can use the qualifying marks for the US indoor and Outdoor championships. Emerging Elite.............hhhmmm thats a tough one. There are pleanty of young men and women that get tagged with this one and NEVER make it to the elite level................in fact, sometimes for the very fact that all the sudden they are an "emerging elite" and the stress expectations take over. How many HS #1's have gone on to make the ELITE status..............not many. In fact many of them never made a dent at the NCAA level. Again, pressure. I think the only answer here is..........your elite or your not based on the US qual marks (of couse this would be the US elite not WORLD elite) and all the rest are emerging elite.............wait and see if they make it.


And you know Im stayin out of that last part.................