Andrea Kreft Article (Western WA University)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://news.bellinghamherald.com/storie ... 8034.shtml

Kreft, McGillen lead Western track team


UP AND OVER: Western Washington University's Kyle McGillen had a high jump of 6 feet, 2 3/4 inches during the Ralph Vernacchia Team Classic Saturday afternoon at Civic Stadium. PETE KENDALL HERALD PHOTO


Viking men finish first, women fifth

JOE SUNNEN, The Bellingham Herald

On most days, the world turns upside down for Western Washington University sophomore Andrea Kreft. Pit. Sky. Mat. Pit. Sky. Mat. It went that way for nearly four hours at the 24th annual WWU Ralph Vernacchia Team Classic on Saturday at Civic Field.

As a pole-vaulter she has gotten used to the twisting scenery. She's just not used to seeing it quite so often.

"We started with short poles and short heights because of the wind then worked our way up," Kreft said. "It made for a long day."

Kreft hopes to be one of those. During the indoor season she met the national pole vault mark but narrowly missed an invitation to compete when her best height failed to crack the top 14. At the Vernacchia Meet she finished second, vaulting 11-feet-1 3/4 inches.

"We haven't had a chance to get out much this year so I was happy with it," Kreft said. "The wind was tough. At the start of the runway it looked like a tail wind and when you get to the box it's a side-wind and your pole is on the wrong side. It was a little bit of an obstacle. "

Overcoming obstacles is something she knows about. Kreft tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee last year during practice while driving the pole into the vault box. Several months of rehabilitation and a red shirt season later she is finally watching the world turn upside again.

"Andrea has had to overcome that fear factor," WWU pole vault coach Dick Henrie said. "When you do something like that in the box it takes time to come back. And she has. She's had to come back from a lot."

With a few more meets and some more practice time, Henrie thinks Kreft has a chance to reach 13-feet. That kind of height would be enough to challenge for a national title.

"Physically she's prepared to do that," Henrie said. "It's just a matter of coming out and competing to get there."