Sponsor a pole, help Kootenai, support the U.S. (Idaho)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2005/0 ... orts01.txt

THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE
Posted: Thursday, Apr 28, 2005 - 08:16:54 am PDT


Sponsor a pole, help Kootenai, support the U.S.
Fred Canfield thinks there might be a couple of state champion pole vaulters at Kootenai High School.

Yes, tiny Kootenai High School. The school that has produced the last three state girls' team champions in the 1A (smallest-school) division is looking to -- ahem -- vault into the forefront in one of the field events.

Problem is, up until about a month ago, the Warriors were vaulting with ancient equipment. And they're still vaulting without their coach.




"I think they had two or three poles," Canfield said, "and some were so old nobody could use them. I think Tony (Kraack) used one that he borrowed at a meet."

A few weeks ago, the Kootenai vaulters came up to Coeur d'Alene High, were Canfield was helping Coeur d'Alene pole vault coach Kent Pope work with Viking vaulters.

"Kent worked with Tony, and I worked with the two girls (Jordan Kincheloe and Stephanie Blackburn), teaching them fundamentals of vaulting," Canfield said. "We talked about that eight feet won state last year, and in an hour, these girls were both clearing eight feet."

Canfield, 61, coached pole vaulters for some 25 years in Oregon, including 15 in Bend, before moving up to Coeur d'Alene last year. He'd been helping at area schools.

ONE DAY Canfield heard from Kent Pope that Kootenai had a pole vault coach, but he wasn't able to coach the Warrior athletes this spring.

However, he had a good excuse.

He was fighting for his country.

It's one thing to be vaulting without your coach. It's another when you're Jordan Kincheloe and your coach is your dad, and Kevin Kincheloe is off fighting for his country while you're trying to out-vault the rest of the North Star League.

Anyway, Canfield called up Rich Lund, the Kootenai principal, and got the OK to come help out in Harrison Flats.

"If I can't take the time to help these kids while he's getting shot at, there's something seriously wrong with me," Canfield said.

After watching them work out, Canfield worked his connections and purchase four poles at cost at roughly $260 apiece, specially made to fit his Warrior vaulters.

"Pole vault poles are built to size and if you don't have the right pole, it's hard to vault," Canfield said.

The new poles are working. Now, Kraack is clearing 12 feet and the girls are setting and beating their personal records.

NOW, CANFIELD needs your help.

He's asking for people and/or businesses to sponsor each of the new poles he bought. A little more than $1,000 would be a start, reimbursing him for his purchase. If more money than that was pledged, more equipment could be bought.

Money can be sent directly to Kootenai High School in Harrison Flats, or delivered to Jerry Morrison, liason between the Kincheloe family and the Idaho National Guard, at the Silver Lake Mall.

"The pole vault fraternity is a very unique fraternity," Canfield said. "In my experiences, we all help each other. We all share knowledge."

Consider it your way to serve your country. And help your Warriors.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via e-mail at mnelke@cdapress.com.

[cougarscoach]

I am one of the coaches for YMCA Team Idaho. We may be able to help with some poles. It just depends on what specific poles are needed. They can contact me at jbaileypolevault@hotmail.com