Brysun Stately article (USC)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/community ... 4798c.html

In leap to college, she scales new heights
Pole vaulter soars from Cordova prep star to All-American
By Quwan Spears -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Thursday, July 6, 2006
Story appeared in Citrus heights orangevale section, Page G5

Print | E-Mail | Comments (0)

Brysun Stately's career came full circle earlier this month. Just a year ago, Stately ended her high school track and field career by winning the girls pole vault title at the CIF State Championships at Hughes Stadium.
Earlier this month, the former Cordova High School standout was in the spotlight again. This time, the current USC athlete finished tied for sixth at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Sacramento State and earned All-America honors with a vault of 13 feet, 2 1/2 inches.

Stately's road from prep state title to college notoriety was not easy. She had to overcome injury and adjust to college life in fast-paced Los Angeles. She also learned how to take constructive criticism. She recently took time from her busy offseason training schedule talk about her first college season.



Q: How have you changed as a pole vaulter and as a person?
A: In high school, I was a pole vaulter who got away with winning events on pure strength. I'd go to meets and know I could get by on just raw talent. Now, I'm developing my technique. … I'm learning how to be a better pole vaulter. As far as a person, I'm starting to be more aware of what people are telling me. I stopped being so stubborn when people tell me things. I'm listening more instead of fighting with them.

Q: How tough was it to compete with a broken right foot?

A: It was pretty tough. Since I didn't have any solid training, I was not in shape. So I started to develop other injuries, straining my quads. I had to gut it out day in and day out just to compete.

Q: How different was the college competition in comparison to high school?

A: In high school, I was pretty much the only one who could jump 13 feet. I would win the event with my opening height. … At the college meets, most of the girls jump 13 feet. As a result, it made me go into every meet and really try harder. I couldn't just show up and expect to win. I have to bring effort to every meet to win. College basically helped me learn how to compete.

Q: You set USC's school record by jumping 13-7 1/4 at the Pacific-10 Conference championships May 14. Can you jump higher, and is 14 feet attainable?

A: I've done it at practice. So it's just a matter of doing it in a meet.

Q: How close have you come to clearing 14 feet?

A: At the meet in which I cleared 13-7 1/4, I tried 13-11 3/4 and almost cleared it. One of my heels slightly touched the bar, and it fell.

Q: What is it like attending college in Los Angeles?

A: First, the weather is nice. Then you're close to the beach. So that's an added plus. But there are a lot more things to distract you, like the night life. You have a lot of people that want to go out. So you have to be disciplined. I've learned that you have to be careful with your time. You can't do everything. You must balance your time between school and your social life.

Q: How was it to compete in the NCAA Championships at home?

A: It was great. I loved it. I loved the weather in Sacramento. To me, Sacramento is just the greatest place I've ever competed in my life. I felt lucky just to have grown up there. I had a lot of friends and family in the stands. So it was great that they were able to see me compete and let them know I didn't fall off the map.

Q: In your first season, you earned All-America honors. How does it make you feel?

A: It's great. Still, I felt as though I could've done better (and) cleared higher heights. But the honor is great because a lot of people don't have that type of success in their first season. After people reiterated what I accomplished, I really started to appreciate it, especially after what I went through this season with the injury and stuff.

Q: Since you had to be convinced you had a great season, it makes me wonder, are you insatiable?

A: That's true. Lets face it: I was not happy getting sixth place. I knew I could've gone higher. Since the winning height was 13-11, it let me know that winning a national championship is possible and I can do a lot better.

Q: So what are your goals for next season?

A: Since the NCAAs are going to be at home (Sacramento) again next season, I really want to go out there and win it. Winning it with a jump of 14 feet would be something that would really blow people away. It would be nice to win in front of my friends and family at home.


The Brysun Stately file
College: USC
High school: Cordova

Career highlights: Tied for sixth in the NCAA women's pole vault finals (13 feet, 2 1/2 inches) . … Set a USC record at the Pac-10 finals (13-7 1/4). … State meet champion as a Cordova senior.