PoleVaultPower.com

**You may now sign up the day of the competition! Check Starting heights for each Session to see when you need to show up.

Livonia, Michigan
June 27th, 2009
Warm-ups start at 9am.
Competition starts at 10am.
2 or more sessions. Sessions will start on time or 30min after previous session.

http://www.livoniaspreevault.com

Event is sanctioned by USATF.

Registration form is now available!
Sign up now!

**You may now sign up the day of the competition! Check Starting heights for each Session to see when you need to show up.

The Schedule:
Date: Saturday, June 27 2009
Alt Date: Sunday, June 28 2009

Time: Pit opens at 9:00am

Session 1: Bar goes up at 10:00am
(Starting Height = 6 feet)
*Mid-competition warm-up at 9'6" for 15min.

Session 2:
Bar goes up at 1:00pm or 30min after 1st Session
(Starting Height = 10 feet)
*Mid-competition warm-up at 13' for 15min.

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/200 ... /906210303


New at Spree: pole vaulting, giant slide and Radio Disney
JUNE 21, 2009


By Diane Andreassi



CORRESPONDENT

After 59 years, Livonia Spree offers families events they look forward to and this year there's new entertainment and competitions that are expected to draw even more interest.

For the first time, the Spree is offering a pole vault event, a giant slide advertised as the biggest in the world and Radio Disney, which will provide music from classic movies, games and prizes.

Pole vault warm-ups begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 27, on the Spree grounds at Ford Field, Baseball Diamond No. 2. The number of competitions will depend on how many people sign up.

The cost is $27, and the event is sanctioned by USA Track & Field. Go to www.livoniaspreevault.com for more information and for registration forms.

This year the Spree will also feature a giant slide, 74-feet high, 200-feet long and 50-wide with eight lanes. It has been dubbed the biggest mobile slide in the world, according to Richard Skaggs, Spree president.

Another event to delight the youngest in the family is Radio Disney at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27. The interactive live deejay show will include games and prizes.

Meanwhile, free music and entertainment will be available throughout the Spree in two big tents, one on the food aisle and the other in the parking lot in front of Eddie Edgar Ice Arena. The tents are new this year and will be especially appreciated if there's rain.

“You can go to the Spree and not spend a penny,” explains Skaggs. “In these times, that means a lot.”

A longtime Spree favorite is Livonia's Taste of Spree 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Eddie Edgar Arena. Ticket holders browse tables set up by area restaurants and sample the best meals around.

Tickets are $10 and are for sale at the Livonia treasurer's office, Community Choice Credit Union and the Livonia Parks and Recreation until they're sold out.

“My all-time favorite is the fireworks — you can't beat them,” Skaggs said. “Another good one is the pancake breakfast and for $4 you get all you can eat.”

More pictures coming soon!!

Max Babits 16 feet!!!!

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/200 ... /907020422

Age no barrier as Spree vaulters raise the bar



By BRAD EMONS
OBSERVER Staff Writer
• July 2, 2009

The first-ever Livonia Spree ‘59' pole vault competition Saturday provided plenty of fireworks of its own that crossed several generations.
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Vaulters from across the state converged on Ford Field in the inaugural USATF-sanctioned event that was the brainchild of Livonia Churchill High multi-events coach Vern Williams.

“It went great,” said Williams, who brought his portable custom-built 130-foot wooden runway to the Spree softball diamond. “We started at 5 a.m. and didn't finish until 5 p.m.”

The oldest vaulter in the competition was 72-year-old Jim Roth of Pinckney, who cleared 7 feet, 6 inches.

And it was a grand day for 56-year-old Patrick Theut, who set a new personal best with a 9-6. Canton High multi-events coach Matti Kilpelainen, 63, also cleared 12 feet.

One of the highlights of the meet was a friendly family vaulting duel between 48-year-old Paul Babits, a former Redford Union High standout, and his nephew, Max Babits, who will be a senior next year at Fowlerville H.S.

“Max and Paul both cleared 15 feet and they both decided to pass to 16 feet,” Williams said. “They were flawless up until this height (16-0), missing it three times. Now, the rules state that if both competitors are tied for first place, they both get one extra attempt at the same bar.

“Paul went first and barely brushes it off. It was a close attempt. Then Max was next and had a terrific approach and take-off. He got his feet and hips over it and nicks it just a little so that it bounced up and down a couple times and luckily it stays up.”

Youth won out over experience as Max Babits set a personal best.

“Max runs off the pits jumping up and down with celebration along with his father Bob,” Williams said. “And you could see that Paul was a little bummed that he couldn't clear the bar ... but at the same time with a big grin on his face you could see that he was proud of his nephew, too.

“It looks like another Babits is coming.”

Recent Livonia Churchill grad Derik Peterman, the Division 1 state runner-up, cleared 14-6 along with 2007 Livonia Franklin High grad Mike Sylvester, who is headed to the University of Michigan.

On the women's side, Division 2 prep champ Tori Wesley of Marine City had the top vault at 11 feet, while Northville's Amy Reynolds, who was fourth in the Division 1 state finals, cleared 10-6.