July 6, 2006
REID L. WALMARK
Source
- Class: Senior
Coach: Alejandro (Ali) Rivera
Accomplishments: Owns state, Class L, State Open and New England records in pole vault indoors and outdoors, all set as a senior. His Class L indoor record is 15 feet, 7 inches; State Open indoor record is 15-3; overall state record indoors is 15-93/4 set at the National Indoor Scholastic Championships, one of two national meets. Cleared 16-0 in December but meet was never documented and could not receive official status as the state's best vault. Outdoors, his Class L record is 15-9, State Open record is 16-1, also the overall state record, and his New England Championship record is 15-6. ... Back spasms, often locking him up, persisted throughout outdoor season and limited his competition to two dual meets, the Ledyard Relays and ECC Championships before the state and regional meets. Received physical therapy three times a week for duration of spring season. ... Competed in 4x100-meter relay and the 200 during outdoor season. Had run the 4x400 relay and the 100, 200 and 400 as a junior.
Thull said: "It was slow dragging until the state [meets]. The back problems started two years ago on and off, but they started up again with more consistency by December." ... "During meets [this spring], adrenaline took over. I could feel it, so I took it easy during practice. Obviously [the season] turned out better than I thought. What I accomplished had to be from natural ability and technique, certainly not from the little training I did." ... "I'm supposed to take the next couple of months off [from competition]."
Rivera said: "We were upset he was hampered with his back injury, but he was determined to do well. After the indoor season, we were hoping to build off that. We were aiming for 16-6 by mid-season and hoped for 17-0 at the end, but his back put a wrench into those plans." ... "He wanted to help the team, so we put him in where he could contribute to the team. He'd try. We shied away from the 400 because we did not want to do damage to his back." ... "He was just so persistent. Before practice he'd be working out in the gym. He'd work out on Sundays and still do vaulting clinics. Jordan wanted to be the best he could be. He would do anything to do well." ... "I'm very pleased with his season. He accomplished what he set out to do - setting records at the state meets."
Future plans: Will attend Northeastern. Will compete in pole vault only, indoors and outdoors. Will limit competition and training this summer with New England Pole Vault Club of Boston to facilitate a stress-free recovery from persistent back problems. Will help out and instruct at pole vaulting camps in New York and New Jersey during the summer.
Miscellaneous: Purchased a motorcycle in the spring and is growing more comfortable riding it. Resident of Salem. 6 feet, 150 pounds.