Jeremy Brading Article (IN)

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http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/235468-7522-036.html

Pole vaulter has some lofty goals





By Chris Nelsen
Star correspondent

April 9, 2005
 


Brownsburg High School's Jeremy Brading was just happy to compete in the pole vault at last year's state track and field meet.


This year, his expectations are higher.


Brading barely missed all-state honors last year with a jump of 14 feet, which was good for a 10th place finish.


"I was there for the experience and to watch the other guys more than anything," said the junior. "It really didn't bother me that I didn't place. I learned a lot from just being there."


Brownsburg pole vault coach Denny McNew doesn't expect Brading to stand around watching at the state meet this season.


"He is a legitimate contender to win a state title," McNew said. "Right now, there are only four or five kids jumping higher than Jeremy in the entire state. If he can reach his goal this season of jumping 16 feet, he will be right there at the state meet."


McNew, who watched Brading do the pole vault at Brownsburg Middle School and has coached him on the high school team, never could have imagined calling Brading a state title contender when he first saw him.


"He was very raw in the event."


Brading has steadily improved, starting this season on a positive note.


He set the school record during the NSR Indoor State Classic at Indiana University on March 19 with a leap of 14 feet, 6 inches.


At Tuesday's dual meet against Southport, Brading just missed clearing 14 feet, 9 inches.


"I've been very encouraged by my jumps this season," he said. "I want to get better and improve each day, and so far I've been able to do that. By the end of the year, I hope to get 16 feet."


Brading's success has not surprised head coach Bret Neylon.


"Jeremy has a lot of natural athletic ability, and the pole vault takes a lot of ability," Neylon said. "He works very hard at it, and he is fearless. A lot of kids don't even want to try the pole vault because it's kind of scary to fling yourself that high in the air.


"Because of Jeremy's success, we've had other kids show an interest in trying it."


Unlike many track and field athletes who participate in multiple events, Brading competes only in the pole vault. Concentrating on one event has been a reason for his drastic improvement.


"I remember trying the pole vault in seventh grade, and I quit because I was scared. Then I tried it again when I was in eighth grade, and I've been doing it ever since," he said. "I guess it's kind of my niche."


Brading hopes to pursue the event in college and would like to land a scholarship from a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I school.


"This is what I want to do," he said. "For me, doing the pole vault in high school is just the beginning."


If Brading does win a state title, he would become just the second boys track athlete at Brownsburg and the first pole vaulter to do so.


Brad Ward won the high jump title in 1985.