Janson sets her sights pretty high

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs. ... 006/SPORTS


Janson sets her sights pretty high

SARASOTA

What, another pole-vaulting story?

Yeah, another pole-vaulting story.

This one celebrates the nation's highest-ranked female collegiate vaulter.

That would be Florida State's -- by way of Cardinal Mooney High -- Lacy Janson.

Noteworthy, for sure, but not at all surprising. The redshirt senior has been devouring her rivals' breakfast, lunch and dinner ever since her dominating days as a Lady Cougar.

In 2001, Janson was the high-school national champ in the vault. At 13-01 1/2, she still holds the Florida girls record.

Her picture adorns a wall of FSU's Moore Athletic Center. And Lacy's pretty sure it's her in a montage at the Center of famous Seminole athletes.

"You can't see the face,'' she said, "but it has the pinky up on the bottom hand on the pole, and I do that all the time, so I think it might be me.

"They say nice things about me in the team meetings, when I do well. But they haven't immortalized me in stone.''

Well, what are those rock-heads waiting for? The finest vaulter in Seminole history has accomplished just about everything there is to accomplish.

Earlier this year, at the NCAA Indoor National Championships, Lacy cleared 14-9, which set an all-time FSU indoor mark. By the way, she held the previous one.

Lacy finished the indoor season ranked second collegiately, fifth in the country, and 17th in the world.

She already owned the school's outdoor record, 14-4, but last weekend at the Texas Relays, Janson made it a little tougher for Lady 'Nole vaulters to follow, jumping 14-7 1/4.

"I've been jumping really well this season,'' she said, "and it was about time it happened.''

The vault is the best this season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the region, the nation, and fifth best in the world, though enough time remains for the mark to tumble.

"But there's plenty of time for me to make a new mark,'' Lacy said.

Who would have the nerve to doubt her? After all, we're discussing a five-time All-American, a seven-time ACC champ, a vaulter looking ahead with confidence to the 2007 World Championships and the 2008 Olympics.

"If I can just stay where I'm at and keep having good practices and great meets,'' she said, "I think I can be ready for the Olympic trials.''

One piece of unfinished business remains. In the FSU record book, Lacy wants to leave a height of 15 feet.

Three inches higher than her current indoor record.

"I really think I can,'' she said, "and my coach thinks I can go higher than that.''

One thing seems certain. Janson won't ever stray too far from that sandy landing pit. "I want to be there forever.''

She's already received a degree in dietetics, and is about two semesters shy from earning one in environmental science.

"We'll see what track has in store for me,'' Lacy said. "If all else fails, maybe I'll be a park ranger.''

Able to leap the tallest sequoias in a single bound.

[rainbowgirl28]

I really hate to make comments on this article, because I really do appreciate it when reporters take the time to write feature stories on pole vaulters.

What, another pole-vaulting story?

Yeah, another pole-vaulting story.

Yeah. Because we get SO many stories.

Noteworthy, for sure, but not at all surprising. The redshirt senior has been devouring her rivals' breakfast, lunch and dinner ever since her dominating days as a Lady Cougar.

No she hasn't. Lacy has had her share of ups and downs, and some of her downs have been way down. I think a lot of people were pleasantly surprised to see how well she has done this year.

One thing seems certain. Janson won't ever stray too far from that sandy landing pit. "I want to be there forever.''

Sandy landing pit? Has this reporter even ever seen the pole vault before??

[Scott Go Pre]

One thing seems certain. Janson won't ever stray too far from that sandy landing pit. "I want to be there forever.''

Sandy landing pit? Has this reporter even ever seen the pole vault before??

Well she has long jumped at a few of the meets this year. I think she went somewhere in the mid 19' area (don't quote me on that though).

[CrossBarHOpper]

Sandy landing pit? Has this reporter even ever seen the pole vault before??

are pit is very very sandys but thats just cause of the sand bags that we used to hold down the cover broke

[TreyDECA]

One thing seems certain. Janson won't ever stray too far from that sandy landing pit. "I want to be there forever.''

Sandy landing pit? Has this reporter even ever seen the pole vault before??

Well she has long jumped at a few of the meets this year. I think she went somewhere in the mid 19' area (don't quote me on that though).

i don't doubt it, she's the fastest girl i've seen down the runway my whole life...