2004 PR

[Russ]

What a difference a New Year can make!

Today at the USATF New England Masters Championships at Brown University, I jumped 11-0, a 2004 PR for me. In fact, I think that it is a Post-1975 PR.

Thanks to the folks on polevault power who have continued to provide support and encouragement for an old guy like me. I doubt that I would have had the confidence and persistence to work through my injuries and setbacks without the kind people who participate on this website. Thanks.

Thanks also to Pole Vault Junkie. The pole that you overnighted made the difference: I missed twice at 10-6 on my regular pole, and then switched to the one that you sent this week (I picked it up at the airport on Friday) and made my 3rd attempt. Then I used it to make my 1st attempt at 11.

Happy New Year Everybody,

[Barto]

Congratulations!

[jr]

From one old guy to another-good job.I'm 45 and still love to jump.Good luck the rest of the year.

[lonestar]

Way to go Russ! Keep it up dude

[PVJunkie]

You keep this up and were puttin you in the elite vault in Chicago..........show them youngsters how its done.

[jmayesvaultmom]

What's the Chicago thing?

[Russ]

The "Chicago thing" of which PVJunkie spoke is Jan Johnson's National Pole Vault Safety Conference and Workshop which is being held Valentine's Day Weekend in Chicago. For more information visit Jan's site at www.skyjumpers.com. He e-mailed me today and said that he expects 80-100 participants. It looks like a good program (but I'm biased...I'm one of the speakers

[Russ]

I'm having trouble getting his site to work for me, so at the risk of making the longest post ever (Becca please forgive me), here is the info that I have on the conference:

National Pole Vault Certification Workshop,
Safety and Basic Progressions Lessons
Chicago, Illinois
Maine South High School, Park Ridge, IL
Saturday and Sunday, February 14 & 15, 2004


Co- Directors:
Jim Lonergan: Director, Illinois Pole Vault Coaches Association, Pole Vault coach Maine South HS, 15 years Sky Jumpers assistant PV coach, Board of Directors Pole Vault Safety Certification Board.


Jan Johnson: National Pole Vault Safety Chairman, Founder Pole Vault Safety Certification Board, Former World Record Holder, Vice-Chair ASTM Pole Vault Facilities Task Force, Olympic Bronze Medallist, M.S. in Biomechanics & founder of Sky Jumpers Vertical Sports Club. Jan’s camps and clinics are legendary for offering the finest, most up-to-date teaching systems possible in a high energy, fun atmosphere. He has coached hundreds of national and international vaulters.


Coaches, Athletic Directors, School Administrators Workshop
For the first time, a special program for coaches, athletic directors, and school administrators will be offered. This portion of the program will be formatted to help answer questions and prepare its participants to take the National Pole Vault Certification test at www.pvscb.com

The workshop will feature a combination of lectures and demonstrations aimed at reducing school liability and improving instruction. Saturday will feature the three presentations listed below, followed by an opportunity to watch the SJVSC national staff teach the PVSCB progressions to the young vaulters in attendance. Participants will also get to watch an elite competition featuring some of the top vaulters in the USA.
On Sunday, participants have the option of taking the on-line national certification test at the Maine South computer lab (with PVSCB proctors helping), and/or participate in coaching activities with our clinic staff.

2004 Speakers and Topics

Cynthia Doyle, Chairman of the National High School Rules Committee, Topic: “National High School Federation Pole Vaulting Perspectivesâ€Â