Tori Allen Article (IN)

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http://www.indystar.com/articles/4/235157-1814-036.html

She cleared the way while clearing the bar

Lawrence Central's Tori Allen led push for girls pole vaulting to be offered in state.






Lawrence Central student Tori Allen, shown in this photo from the 2004 state track and field meet, played an instrumental role in having the pole vault recognized as an event for girls. The Indiana High School Athletic Association offers it as a scored event for the first time this year. -- File photo
 


By Paul Shepherd
Star correspondent

April 8, 2005
 


On Tori Allen's behalf, her father sued the Indiana High School Athletic Association two years ago, claiming the state federation was violating a 1972 federal law designed to ensure a level field in men's and women's athletics.


Tori, a Junior Olympic pole-vaulter who won the boys Marion County title as a Lawrence Central freshman, wanted to vault with whom she felt she belonged: the girls. At the time, girls track and field didn't offer pole vaulting.


"I realized I didn't want to compete against the boys anymore," Allen said. "I think girls should have a chance to pole vault."


The IHSAA relented, allowing girls to compete in nonscored events two years ago, then leaving scoring up to the host schools last season. The girls state meet featured the pole vault as an experimental, nonscored event the past two years.


That changes with the state meet June 4 at Indiana University. Instead of receiving only medals, female pole-vaulters can score points for their teams.


"It's an awesome feeling," said Allen, who won the girls pole vault two years ago and placed second to Homestead's Katie Veith in 2004.


"I didn't do it myself. I had a lot of help with my parents, my school and my coaches supporting me."


Allen, a senior, said girls and coaches come up to her at meets to thank her for pushing to have the event scored. She takes the compliments in stride and said that without other girls jumping, her efforts to enforce Title IX would have been for naught.


"Without them pole vaulting, I wouldn't have won my lawsuit," Allen said. "Those girls had to show up and want to have pole vaulting to have gotten me this far. They were definitely a huge help."


According to an IHSAA study released two years ago, 70 percent of its member schools opposed adding girls pole vault. Lawrence Central coach Randall Glenn suspects that number has since declined.


"It's grown a lot, by leaps and bounds, in my opinion," he said. "We started out with only a few girls.


"(When) girls started out, a few jumped 7 or 8 feet. Now we've got girls jumping 12 feet, which is great for the sport. We're competitive with a lot of other states that already had pole vault.


"There's been a lot more participation. We've been able to fill the numbers as far as getting (girls) into the state meet. It's been great for the sport."


Veith cleared 12 feet 6 inches at last season's finals, breaking Allen's state record of 11-101/4 set the year before.


Allen struggled to 11-3 last year. She expects to do better this year, especially without pressure to impress college scouts. Allen has accepted a scholarship to pole vault at Florida State University.


"I feel so good going into my senior year," Allen said. "I know I'm going to have a good track season. I went through a big slump last year. This year, I'm recovered. I'm going into the season knowing no matter what, I'm going to Florida State. It's so relieving.


"Plus, it's a lot sunnier down there than it's been here."


Allen's attitude could be described as sunny. A rock-climbing champion, published author, actor and action-figure model, at 17 Allen has achieved a lot. She acknowledges she is satisfied just to compete for a girls title, something she didn't know would be possible three years ago.


"Of course I want to win," Allen said. "I think that's a lot of people's goal, but as long as I go there and I do my best -- if I go 12-6 or 12 feet and that's the best I do -- I'm going to be happy.


"If (Veith) goes 13-0, more power to her. I'm going to be competing against her the rest of my life in college and into elite vault. There's no reason we should have hard feelings against each other. In the future, we'll both be (known as) 'the Indiana girls,' but, yeah, I'd love to beat her."


Lawrence Central has two other pole-vaulters. Glenn said he expects a third to come out this season and has received interest from incoming freshmen.


"There's been a lot more interest in it," Glenn said. "We hope to keep the tradition once Tori graduates."


Whether that tradition continues at Lawrence Central remains to be seen. Thanks to Allen, however, girls pole vault in Indiana has just begun.