Craig Theissen Article (Michigan)

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http://www.gatewaynewspapers.com/northj ... rts/45530/

Theissen vaulted up ranks at Michigan
By Jerry Clark, Sports Editor
Thursday, April 14, 2005

Craig Theissen was not born with a pole in his hand, but he worked at the pole vault event from a young age, and his dedication has paid dividends.

Theissen, now entering his senior year at Michigan, worked his way from team manager to team captain in just three seasons.

Theissen's father is the pole vault coach at North Allegheny and has held that position for 31 years.

While his father coached, Theissen would be around the track with a small pole of his own.

"I would watch the big guys practice, then try to do what they did," Theissen said.

"My best memories are when the kid who holds the current North Allegheny pole vault record would hang out with me."

When he reached seventh grade, Theissen finally got the opportunity to compete in the pole vault event but it didn't go as smoothly as he had hoped.

"The first time I came down the runway, I didn't remember that I had to lock my arm out," he said.

By not locking his arm as firmly as he could, the pole recoiled, smacking him in the face.

"I got a bloody nose," he said. But in 10 minutes he was back at it, "I just sucked it up and was able to vault 8-feet-6-inches on the next try."

The process was slow, but Theissen was seeing improvement in his efforts.

By his sophomore year, Theissen was vaulting 13-feet-6-inches, a good vault, but it did not qualify him for the PIAA Championships.

"I never did well in the big meets," he said.

His shortcomings in high school made him that much more determined in college.

Theissen attended Michigan, where he tried to make the track team as a walk-on.

Unfortunately for Theissen, his freshman year was the year Michigan brought in the No. 1 recruiting class.

He never got in the groove, and didn't make the team.

"I wanted to be a part of Michigan athletics," he said. "I became a manager because I could stay close to the sport while working out in their facilities."

It was the perfect way to stay in shape, and Theissen took full advantage, gaining 15 pounds of muscle.

When his sophomore year rolled around, Theissen decided to try out again, this time as a decathlete. His coach wanted him to focus on pole vaulting, and decided to add him to the team.

"That was probably my proudest moment," Theissen said. "I actually called the coach and he told me before the team list was posted."

He immediately called his parents, but his father was teaching, so his mom got the news first.

"She was waiting by the phone," he said.

Theissen admits that he was still uncertain until he saw it in print.

By his junior year, he was named team captain in only his second year of eligibility.

"There were no seniors on the team," he said. "And nobody had stepped up to be a leader."

The coaches respected Theissen's work ethic and how he quietly went about his business.

"They figured I was a good example," he said. "Now that I am a captain, I am a little more vocal, but I still feel the best way is to lead by example."

Knee surgery cost Theissen most of the indoor season, but now that he is getting healthy again, he is primed for the outdoor season to begin.

His goal is to place at a Big Ten meet.

"I want to be on that podium when they hand out those awards," he said. "We as a team are gaining more respect."

Michigan won the Penn State Cup last year, a feat Theissen would like to see more of.