Sarah Kinnaman gets 11 feet (IN)

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http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 15/LOCAL01

11-foot mark bothered her, but she got over it


By Chris Nelsen
Star correspondent


WESTFIELD -- Sarah Kinnaman showed that persistence does pay.


A pole vault specialist for the Westfield girls track and field team, the junior refused to give up in her quest to clear 11 feet.
"I had been stuck at 10 (feet) 6 (inches) for a while," Kinnaman said, "and it was starting to get a little frustrating."
With encouragement from pole vault coach Greg Albert, Kinnaman continued to chase her goal.
"Sarah is incredibly fierce when it comes to competing," Albert said. "You can always count on her to go further than you think she can."
Countless hours of practice finally paid off for Kinnaman, who set a personal best by clearing 11 feet at the Southport Relays on April 21.
"It was exciting," she said. "It's a big step because when you hit 11 feet, it feels like you're jumping a lot higher. . . . Once I finally made it over, it was a relief."
Albert feels she's cleared a mental hurdle, too.
"We talked a lot about how it was just a number, but it probably does take some pressure off her," he said. "Knowing it can be done is very important."
Kinnaman likely must make an even higher vault to contend for an outdoor state championship.
At the Hoosier State Relays -- considered the unofficial indoor state meet -- on March 17, she took seventh place in the Class 4A-5A division by clearing 10-6. Homestead's Katie Veith won the event at 13 feet.
"My main goal is making state," Kinnaman said. "If I'm able to get there, I'll do my best and see how it compares to everyone else.