Codi Mattix Article (MI)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.sentinel-standard.com/articl ... orts01.txt

Saranac youth hangs with top competition
By ANDREW ROBERTS
Sentinel-Standard sports writer

GRAND HAVEN -- After completing a dominate season as a member of the Saranac Junior High track team. Pole vaulter Codi Mattix took on some of the countries best last weekend at the Grand Haven Beach Vault.

In a 14 and under division, Mattix proved to not only those in attendance, but himself how much he has improved this year. With a jump of 11'0", he finished third in his age group that included the top two 14 and under vaulters in the country. The mark was Mattix's personal best in competition.

The finish at the beach Vault puts Mattix into some impressive company, as the fourth best vault was over a foot lower.

"I never thought that I could be with those guys," he said. "I had a lot of support from my family and coaches."

"It still hasn't really set in yet, Mattix's mother Chris Hennningson said. "But it is very exciting to see him have such talent."


Along with his coaches from the junior high team, Mattix has some additional training from coaches from Kentwood and Carson City-Crystal Track Coach Perry Leija. With the extra training, Mattix has improved his form and increased his upper body strength, propelling him from a personal best height of 7'3" last year to the career mark he set in Grand Haven.

Along with track, Mattix is involved in summer league baseball, which wraps up this week. He will also begin his first season on the Redskin JV football team in about two weeks. However, he plans to concentrate more time to the pole vault with the help of his parents.

Currently, his father Bill and Henningson are working to put a pole vault pit in the backyard of Henningson's home, so their son can continue to practice during the off season. According to Bill, many of the families that he talked to this weekend have set up pits at home for their children.

"Quite a few parents have pits," he said. "Their children are also vaulting almost every weekend."

Later this summer, Mattix plans on participating in pole vault events in Saginaw and at Maple Valley High School.

If he continues to improve throughout his high school career than Saranac Mattix may be the next in a number of strong track athletes in the Saranac program. His finish at the Beach Vault has defiantly given him more confidence. Next spring, Mattix his hoping to qualify for the regional tournament in his first year at the high school level.

[HHSPVCoach]

We're looking forward to seeing Codi at the Lababie Pig Gig Street Vault in Bay City on August 6th. One last chance for everyone to get some vaulting competition in before the summer is over. And what better way than in front of huge crowds with jammin' music? For entry/information email me, or check out the link on www.grandhavenbeachvault.com.

Coach Phil
phil_eichbauer@yahoo.com

[vaulter870]

that street vault sounds sweet and i am looking to jump high there

[ryansanta]

He has a really good run/pole carry to plant, only seen him inside on his step once. Kind of weak after that but whats important here?

[HHSPVCoach]

Ryan, you coming up to Bay City this weekend for the street vault???

Coach Phil