USATF to move pole vault selection
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 1:57 pm
Original Press Release on USATF site
USATF moves national team pole vault selection to Texas Relays
4/1/2013
INDIANAPOLIS - USA Track & Field is pleased to annouce that, starting in 2014, the men's and women's National Team selection for the pole vault will be based on the results from the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, held annually is Austin, Texas. This is a departure from the normal selection that occurs at the USATF National Championship.
"We think its a natural progression, given the high level of competition and quality of results that consistently happen at the Texas Relays each year." said Renee Greer, Executive Director of the National Team selection committee. "Training opportunities for post-collegiate vaulters are scarce. With no assistance from the association available due to re-prioritization of funds into other needed areas like vendor retention programs and executive staff salaries, the performance of our 'elite' vaulters has suffered. Refocusing our attention on collegiate athletes exculsively allows us to find top athletes with zero additional expenditures."
Jason Hinkin, Chief Entertainment Officer, adds, "This move allows us to shift the cost of athlete development down the ladder a rung. In this day and age, no one can realistically train and develop at a high level in the US without some sort of support system in place. Since the USATF has no financial interest in providing one, we can no longer count on our historically elite source of talent. The Texas relays has become the elite meet in the country for high performances, so why not use it to select our best athletes."
Current post-collegiate athletes are encouraged to enroll in their local community college if they wish to continue competing for a spot on the National Team. Anyone who wishes to comment of file a formal complaint can do so by contacting the nearest brick wall.
For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org
USATF moves national team pole vault selection to Texas Relays
4/1/2013
INDIANAPOLIS - USA Track & Field is pleased to annouce that, starting in 2014, the men's and women's National Team selection for the pole vault will be based on the results from the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, held annually is Austin, Texas. This is a departure from the normal selection that occurs at the USATF National Championship.
"We think its a natural progression, given the high level of competition and quality of results that consistently happen at the Texas Relays each year." said Renee Greer, Executive Director of the National Team selection committee. "Training opportunities for post-collegiate vaulters are scarce. With no assistance from the association available due to re-prioritization of funds into other needed areas like vendor retention programs and executive staff salaries, the performance of our 'elite' vaulters has suffered. Refocusing our attention on collegiate athletes exculsively allows us to find top athletes with zero additional expenditures."
Jason Hinkin, Chief Entertainment Officer, adds, "This move allows us to shift the cost of athlete development down the ladder a rung. In this day and age, no one can realistically train and develop at a high level in the US without some sort of support system in place. Since the USATF has no financial interest in providing one, we can no longer count on our historically elite source of talent. The Texas relays has become the elite meet in the country for high performances, so why not use it to select our best athletes."
Current post-collegiate athletes are encouraged to enroll in their local community college if they wish to continue competing for a spot on the National Team. Anyone who wishes to comment of file a formal complaint can do so by contacting the nearest brick wall.
For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org
