Chris Thoman article (IN)

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http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 7/SPORTS02

Injury hasn't kept pole vaulter down

By Paul Shepherd
Star correspondent
Lawrence North senior pole vaulter Chris Thoman had high goals entering the track and field season: winning a state championship and breaking the state record of 16 feet, nine inches among them.


A potential season-ending knee injury suffered at Monday's practice could put an end to that quest, but the setback hasn't discouraged Thoman from thinking long term. He's already set his sights on accomplishing more in the sport beyond the high school level.
"I'm definitely going to college to vault and, personally, I have dreams of making it to the Olympics," said Thoman, who was awaiting the results of a magnetic resonance imaging test taken Tuesday.
He landed awkwardly in the pit after attempting to clear 16-6 on Monday, dislocating his left knee. Thoman said there was a "70-80 percent chance" he'll miss the rest of the season.
Thoman, who set the school record with a vault of 16-3 at an indoor meet in March, tied for 12th at last year's state meet at 14-6. Lawrence North graduate Dorrian White cleared 15-9 to win the title.
Bob Potter, who coached four team state champions and two pole vaulting state champions in his 30 years as the Lawrence North coach, stepped aside this year, and former assistant Kenneth Browner took over. Potter still coaches the Wildcats vaulters, though, and offered the highest praise for Thoman.
"He's the best vaulter that I've ever coached and probably the best athlete as a vaulter that I've ever coached," Potter said.
Vaulting wasn't originally in Thoman's plans. He tried out for the baseball team as a freshman but didn't make it. Potter had spotted Thoman in gym class and liked the physical attributes of the speedy, 6-1, 160-pounder.
"He's got pretty good height, which is a big factor," Potter said. "He's got real good speed, which is the No. 1 factor in pole vaulting. Physically, he brings the best of everything to vaulting, I think."
Potter suggested Thoman consider pole vaulting if baseball didn't work out. It's a decision Thoman is happy he made.
"I couldn't have asked for anything better," Thoman said. "In my present situation (with the injury), it's kind of hard to say that, but I gained more out of joining this sport. It's made high school for me."
It wasn't all natural ability for Thoman, however. He knew nothing of the sport when he began vaulting his freshman year, but it's grown into his passion. Thoman has taken gymnastics classes to enhance his swing power and intensive speed training courses to increase his explosiveness. While many of his teammates went to Florida and other warm climates over spring break, Thoman was in Jonesboro, Ark., training at the camp of legendary pole vaulting instructor Earl Bell.
That dedication has been instrumental to Thoman's success, Potter said.
"You've got to have somebody that wants to work hard," Potter said. "He's just a good, hard-working athlete that has definitely paid his dues."
Thoman lives in Lawrence Township with his parents, Dianne and John Weiss, and is one of four children. He has drawn collegiate interest from Arkansas State, Akron, Georgia and Purdue. Thoman wants to study sports management or political science and, with nine Marines in his family, has interest in joining an ROTC program.
Wherever he goes to college, vaulting will be a priority.
"I've been told by coach Potter and Earl Bell -- both of those men whose opinion I respect very much -- when they say I can go over 17-0 in high school, only good things can come of that in college," Thoman said. "Even with this injury, however long it lasts, I plan on getting back on it. It'll be rough, but I love the sport too much to ever just drop it."