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Just took a look at the new "B" standards for next year. The men are at 5.50m and women 4.27m.

Not a big deal except in 03' there were 23 men jump 5.50, but only 13 women jumped 4.27! The field sizes for next year are both set at 24.

What gives with the women's standard?

I know that the event is still emerging, but I will kiss anyone's foot who can tell me 24 women will jump 14' next year.

Barto

yeah, the women's standard seems pretty. they probably set it when the event seemed to be improving more dramatically. now it seems to have leveled out more than everyone expected. of course since its an olympic year, people may pull out all of the stops and put up some big marks. i bet that enoug people make it

im assuming that the "B" standards are like the provisional standards.....( only a certain amount of people above that height can go)

What is the "A" standard, or the Automatic height ????

doesn't matter. they'll just fill out the field with the next best anyway. Hell, the best guy could jump 13' and they'd still fill out the field to 24 entries.

I've seen women at Mizzou go 13'6" and that was this past spring at an all-comers meet. And I've seen some pretty promising young ladies going to Nebraska as freshmen. I have a feeling there will be more women than you might think thinking about Athens.

OK, of course they are going to take the top 24 no matter what the height is we all know that, but the point of a "B" standard is that it is supposed to be a minimum to be considered.

Past years results in US:
2000 - 9 over 4.27
2001 - 9 over 4.27
2002 - 13 over 4.27
2003 - 13 over 4.27

So why would we think that suddenly the number of national class vaulters is going to double in one year when the event has been pretty stagnant for the last 5? It just seems inconsistent with the USA Nationals qualifying marks from last year of 4.17 "A" and 4.10 "B".

Why have a "B" standard when you know you will have to take athletes who didn't hit it?

Barto

Hey I could be wrong. But I would like you to consider something.

It hasn't been that long since Dragila was vaulting for exhibition at the Olympics. In our state alone (MO) girls didn't vault in Jr.High or High School until around 1999. Bear in mind guys have been jumping practically forever. Dragila probably inspired more girls with that Visa commercial than we will ever know. In any event, the ground swell of girls/women vaulting has risen dramatically to the point where I believe that the heights suggested (14') will only be a matter of time. Think of the last four years as the leading edge of the vanguard. As the poles improve, and the women actually get good coaching and use the work ethic most of the girls I know have, it's gonna be pretty interesting for the fans. Hey, they already have their own calendar, what have you guys been doing?

They probably raised the women standard to the standards of the olympic games. That would be my guess and I don't think its that bad a thing. You watch and see how many girls jump that high. LB

I think they are going to end up taking people below the B standard again, which just makes them look dumb for having those standards in the first place. Why not just say "we'll take the top 24 vaulters in the country from the past 2 years" or whatever?

We have been vaulting and not posing in magazines. thats why 14 feet isn't mens qualifying for the Olymics... Whoa whoa whao. Just kidding. Sorry ladies, you know we love you. Haha.

By my unprofessional calcuations, there have been around 17 girls that jumped over 4.27 in the past 2 years. I agree with Lon, I think the standards are good and alot of girls are going to qualify. Also, Olympic year and everyone comes out of the woodwork.