Tom Hays to conduct clinic in Jamaica

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http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/P ... gh_9509342

Pole vault clinic at UTech, Manchester High
BY PAUL BURROWES Observer writer
Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The University of Technology (UTech), along with track and field equipment company UCS and the Intersecondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), will stage preliminary and intermediary courses on pole vault beginning tomorrow at the UTech campus.

The first preliminary clinic will start at 9:00 tomorrow morning at UTech and the second on Saturday, also at 9:00 am, at Manchester High School in Mandeville.

Pole vault coach Tom Hays of the University of Kansas will present the courses.

However, the intermediate courses will be presented on January 4, 2012 at UTech and another on January 6, also next year, at Manchester High.

UTech's director of sports Anthony Davis said at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships he "saw the need as many athletes were not able to even hold the pole properly and one athlete barely missed serious injury".

All high schools, intercollegiate and club coaches are invited to attend.

Jabari Ennis holds the national record with 5.30 metres, below the World Championships A and B standards of 5.72 and 5.60 metres, respectively.

Ennis, now 30, set the national mark in March, 2002. His most recent accomplishment was fourth in the Central American and Caribbean Championships in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico last month.

Experts say that a good pole-vaulter combines sprinting with gymnastics, and is fearless, enjoying the height and flight the pole vault provides.