Jacob Pauli Article
Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 9:47 am
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2005 ... 800364.txt
Pauli rises to top again at Drake
By JIM SULLIVAN, Courier Sports Writer
DES MOINES - The ink is now dry.
Jake Pauli became a Drake Relays champion again, and a few young fans have the signatures that prove it.
Shortly after Pauli beat a talent-laden field to claim the special men's pole vault Saturday, two boys approached him. Could the former UNI athlete autograph their T-shirts?
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He obliged happily. On those shirts, Pauli wrote, "Jake Pauli, 2005 Drake Relays champion."
Smiling, Pauli said later, "That felt good, man. This is great. I'm from Northern Iowa. This meet means everything to us. It felt great. It really does. It's awesome."
Six years ago, when he still competed for UNI, Pauli won the University-College Division pole vault. He also added an NCAA indoor crown to his resume.
Graduate school in the vault proved tougher. Pauli suffered through disappointments and injuries. In fact, he's now nursing an abdominal problem. Yet, Pauli is moving to the top again.
A week ago, he won the pole vault at the Kansas Relays. Saturday, he did it at Drake against a group of rivals that included 2000 Olympic gold medalist Nick Hysong, 2004 silver medalist Toby Stevenson plus Jeff Hartwig, the American indoor and outdoor record-holder.
"It seems like I've come across a lot of adversity," said Pauli, who also claimed all-America honors at UNI. "I think you learn from that stuff. Today, it seemed like everything I learned was put to the test. I guessed I passed."
Actually, he passed after missing his first attempt at 18 feet, 4 inches. Since Hartwig cleared it on his initial attempt, Pauli elected to aim for 18-8 3/4.
The ploy worked. Pauli soared over the bar on try No. 1. Hartwig struck out in three attempts.
Pauli won it with his arms and legs - and perhaps a private speech to himself as he pondered 18-8 3/4.
"It was one of those deals where you really have to talk yourself into it," said Pauli. "Sitting in the back of the runway, I was making sure that I believed that I can do before I did it.
"When I made it, I said, ‘Wow - I guess I can do it.' It was pretty simple."
Pauli's Drake Relays victory should make a lot of people believe in him, according to Chris Bucknam.
"This increases his stature with his agent, with his sponsor (Nike) and European meet directors," said the UNI head track coach. "That's where all the money is this summer. It's a very important win for Jake."
Pauli was the only present or former Panther to win on the final day of the 2005 Drake Relays.
Pauli rises to top again at Drake
By JIM SULLIVAN, Courier Sports Writer
DES MOINES - The ink is now dry.
Jake Pauli became a Drake Relays champion again, and a few young fans have the signatures that prove it.
Shortly after Pauli beat a talent-laden field to claim the special men's pole vault Saturday, two boys approached him. Could the former UNI athlete autograph their T-shirts?
 ADVERTISEMENT
 HOW TO ADVERTISE »
 MARKETPLACE »
He obliged happily. On those shirts, Pauli wrote, "Jake Pauli, 2005 Drake Relays champion."
Smiling, Pauli said later, "That felt good, man. This is great. I'm from Northern Iowa. This meet means everything to us. It felt great. It really does. It's awesome."
Six years ago, when he still competed for UNI, Pauli won the University-College Division pole vault. He also added an NCAA indoor crown to his resume.
Graduate school in the vault proved tougher. Pauli suffered through disappointments and injuries. In fact, he's now nursing an abdominal problem. Yet, Pauli is moving to the top again.
A week ago, he won the pole vault at the Kansas Relays. Saturday, he did it at Drake against a group of rivals that included 2000 Olympic gold medalist Nick Hysong, 2004 silver medalist Toby Stevenson plus Jeff Hartwig, the American indoor and outdoor record-holder.
"It seems like I've come across a lot of adversity," said Pauli, who also claimed all-America honors at UNI. "I think you learn from that stuff. Today, it seemed like everything I learned was put to the test. I guessed I passed."
Actually, he passed after missing his first attempt at 18 feet, 4 inches. Since Hartwig cleared it on his initial attempt, Pauli elected to aim for 18-8 3/4.
The ploy worked. Pauli soared over the bar on try No. 1. Hartwig struck out in three attempts.
Pauli won it with his arms and legs - and perhaps a private speech to himself as he pondered 18-8 3/4.
"It was one of those deals where you really have to talk yourself into it," said Pauli. "Sitting in the back of the runway, I was making sure that I believed that I can do before I did it.
"When I made it, I said, ‘Wow - I guess I can do it.' It was pretty simple."
Pauli's Drake Relays victory should make a lot of people believe in him, according to Chris Bucknam.
"This increases his stature with his agent, with his sponsor (Nike) and European meet directors," said the UNI head track coach. "That's where all the money is this summer. It's a very important win for Jake."
Pauli was the only present or former Panther to win on the final day of the 2005 Drake Relays.