Scott Martin Article (OU)

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Scott Martin Article (OU)

Unread postby rainbowgirl28 » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:23 am

http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ ... 3df433e0ba

Jumping onto the Scene


Scott Martin is a pole-vaulter for OU's track and field team.



Craig Martin - Daily Staff Writer


April 06, 2005

Imagine sprinting down a narrow runway with a 16-foot pole in your hands. Now imagine planting the pole and elevating high in the air, only to fall backwards, flat on your back. Would you do it again?
The first words out of most people's mouths would be something not suitable for print.
Most people, that is.
"The first words out of my mouth were, 'This is awesome,'" sophomore pole-vaulter Scott Martin said. "Then I just laid there for about 30 minutes. I couldn't move."
Martin is a native of Tulsa whose first attempt at the pole-vault came as a freshman in high school.
Martin made headlines recently with a fourth place overall finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., three weeks ago. His final jump of 18.05 feet was a personal record and tied Martin for the second best jump in OU history.
"I was really pleased with my performance," Martin said. "It was my first time to make the championships, and I tried my hardest."
In his second year of college competition, Martin has far exceeded his coaches' expectations.
"It was a pleasant surprise for Scott to do so well so quickly," coach Tom Williams said. "We knew he would do well, we just didn't know how soon."
Martin vaulted throughout high school after a short stint at wide receiver for his school's football team. Martin attended Jenks High School in Tulsa.
"The physics and uniqueness of the sport is what drew me to it," Martin said. "It is amazing to me how you can run full-speed, bend a pole almost 90 degrees and fly through the air. Not many people get to do that."
While at Jenks, Martin won three state championships in the pole vault and had an easy time disposing of his competition.
"I was always jumping at least a foot higher than everyone else at the meet," Martin said. "As long as I cleared the bar, I always won."
Martin's goal this year is to take home the NCAA Outdoor championship in the pole-vault, and Williams thinks the goal is attainable.
"I definitely think he can win it. His jump last year was only four inches behind the guy who won," Williams said.
Sophomore Tommy Skipper of the University of Oregon has won the title the past two years, and Martin said he will be gunning for Skipper this time.
"He is the man to beat," Martin said.
"There is only a few elite athletes who can jump 18 feet," Williams explained. "If Scott continues to make improvements, I think he could clear 19 feet."
Martin has been more consistent this year than in years past, and he said his consistency is his greatest accomplishment.
He attributes his success to his parents.
"If it weren't for my parents I probably wouldn't be here," Martin said. "I doubted myself at first, but they pushed me to try out."
Martin received additional coaching throughout high school from retired Oklahoma State standout Joe Dial.
"Joe has influenced me a lot, and really wanted me to go to OSU," Martin said. "I really didn't base my decision (between OU and OSU) on each school's track program. After I visited Norman and met all of the other pole-vaulters, I knew I would fit in best at OU."
Martin and the rest of the Sooner track and field team will be competing in the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, this weekend. The meet is one of the bigger events of the season and will feature many of the nation's top athletes and future Olympians

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