PoleVaultPower.com

It has been eight years since Toby Stevenson and Tim mack took the pole vaulting world by storm having one of the greatest seasons we have ever seen, and guys like Jeff Hartwig and Derick Miles are clearly done jumping any higher than they already have. It has been four years since Brad Walker jumped the AR and since that time the pole vault is in decline not producing enough Elite Vaulters. I think we have seen the highest anyone can go and the simple fact that the records are untouchable it is hurting the popularity and therefore hurting the athletes trying to reach the top of the pole vault world.

Have we hit bottom? If so when will we see the likes of Bubka, Hartwig, Mack and the greats in the past?

Have we hit bottom? If so when will we see the likes of Bubka, Hartwig, Mack and the greats in the past?[/quote]

We have some young talent coming up. 18 to 24 years of age.
My opinion there will never be another Bubka.

hey

fix the run to run like Bubka and you can jump like Bubka....

dj

I predict that this year will be better than last year for the men.

I am hoping for:
Brad Walker to start performing well at major meets
Jack Whitt to keep improving
Tommy Skipper to make a comeback
More of our emerging elites to hit A standard

And of course PRs for everyone

hey

i'm with you Becca...

i think we will see some vaulters.. going to London with good medal potential...

keep positive... alll

dj

I am not sure what America has to offer in the top three for the men's pole vault!
I look at the NCAA video and see so many poor runs and everyone taking off under!
It seems the USA has not learned its lessons yet. We have coaches still teaching pressing with the bottom arm and many trying to get to their backs to quick!
Far too many believe the vault is two stages and not two pendulums!!

Many athletes are over-gripping their abilities rather than learning how to jump over their hand-grips!
Many vaulter boast about pr's with short runs gee what would happen if it was 20 strides guys and 18 girls!!!
France Cuba, Poland, and Russia are leading the event with much better technique and heights cleared!
USA programs are not supporting athletes and organizing groups are holding athletes back from getting the funds and sponsorships they need to train!
Far too many politics! far too much Greed! far too many rules claiming to protect the athlete!
Dj you are correct we need to make changes and it has to start right now!
Just my thoughts it is just not fun anymore!
Bruce Caldwell

Theres just not as much excitement as we have seen in the past. The heights just arnt there anymore for whatever reason. I would love to see Brad get back to where he was or skipper to make a comeback and the college elite to become top in the world i just dont think that days coming anytime soon. I am not trying to be negative, but it feels like we are as low we have been in the last 30 years.

polevaltr41 wrote:Theres just not as much excitement as we have seen in the past. The heights just arnt there anymore for whatever reason. I would love to see Brad get back to where he was or skipper to make a comeback and the college elite to become top in the world i just dont think that days coming anytime soon. I am not trying to be negative, but it feels like we are as low we have been in the last 30 years.

Help us out and become an elite US vaulter.

Bruce.. you know it… you have seen it for years..

i think only 2 vaulters used a 20 stride run at the world champs.... and USA jumpers are still "excited" about PR ing with 16 steps!!!

i think the rest of the world is/will be switching to longer runs.. not just this season but right now.. indoor season.. if they don't they will be out of contention for medals this summer.

Silke S. just jumped her German record 4.77 and used 18 strides in the first meet!!!

How many Americans, men and women will use 18 at the summit this weekend.. if you/they don't ..you are playing catch up…

man or women, you cannot reach maximum speed by anything less than 18 steps.. actually you need to have your maximum acceleration done by six steps from the takeoff.. which would mean, if your run is 18, by 12 steps and if it is 20 steps, by 14 steps...

I want us (USA) to own the world record and the gold medals again..

Any of our top jumpers are welcome to come to Gainesville and do a run success so you can see 20 steps is doable and easy if you set it up correctly…

I am still optimistic that we will finally get there… the run change is the last thing that hasn't been tried in the last ? years.. Tim won gold with 18.. I don't know if that will happen again.

dj

well said DJ
Bruce

It will come back around, Michael. Give it some time.

We do have a great group of qualified coaches out there in high school who canb bring the USA some great talents.
It is what college does to them once they have left High School.
I know of several vaulters all the way back to Casey Carrigan who jumped 17+ in high school but never went any more than a 1 foot higher in college.
One vaulter in high school a few years ago had a lot of talent jumping 17'5" on 15'3" poles and then went to college and they moved him to 16'5" poles and moved the grip up right away it took him three years to pr again to 18+

AVC Coach I assure you you are one to give colleges some real talent congrats on your past and current accomplishments.

so your correct if these high school guys stay in the grove they could be USA hope for a medal in the Olympics again!

Just my thoughts
Bruce Caldwell