Weygandt sets sky-high goals in pole vaulting

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/07/16 ... ls-in.html

Weygandt sets sky-high goals in pole vaulting
Posted Friday, Jul. 16, 2010Comments (0) Recommend (0) Print Share Buzz up!Reprints

BY BRENT SHIRLEY
bshirley@star-telegram.com

Shade Weygandt loves pole vaulting because of the quick results -- either clear the bar or send it crashing to the ground.

"I'm an instant-satisfaction type of person," Weygandt said. "You either make it or miss it. It's the rush pole vaulters live for, coming back down and knowing that the bar isn't coming with you."

The past year, her first vaulting for Texas Tech, Weygandt has felt that rush at a record pace. She broke the Red Raiders' school pole vault record in her first meet. Then, in her next meet, she broke it again.

On June 25, the Mansfield High School graduate won the U.S. Junior pole vault title at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Her vault of 14 feet, 1/2 inch not only gave her first place, it also set the meet record. Weygandt and Nebraska's Natalie Willer were tied for the record at 13-111/4, a mark they both reached in the 2009 U.S. Junior Championships.

"I got to set the record by myself," Weygandt said. "Now, I officially own the record, which is fun."

Next up for Weygandt is a trip to Canada for the World Junior Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick. The event, which starts Monday, is the second consecutive World Junior competition for Weygandt. The women's pole vault competition begins Thursday.

"Because I was there last year, I know what to expect," Weygandt said. "I'm ready to go, and there's not too much more I could do to get prepared. I'm in the top five qualifiers, which would put me in medal contention. That's definitely my goal."

Weygandt was the top female pole vaulting recruit in the nation out of high school; she was the state champion three consecutive years for Mansfield, 2007-09, and cleared 14 feet. She skipped her senior season, graduating early to enroll in Texas Tech for the 2010 season.

"She had great leg speed, a lot of talent, and she was very driven," said Paul Richards, who coached Weygandt's club team for three years in high school. "She always wanted to be the best in the country."

Weygandt adjusted to college track quickly. She never vaulted lower than 13-5. Working with Rock Light, her pole vault coach at Texas Tech, Weygandt has improved her vaulting.

"She has had an incredible first season," Light said. "She's gotten stronger, and she's done good things in the weight room. She moved her run back two strides, which is another big part of her growth. Her training has been consistent. She has adapted to the increased training, and she has done well in the classroom."

While many college coaches break down pole vaulters' technique completely during their freshman year, Weygandt said Light has helped her make minor adjustments. As a result, Weygandt kept her explosiveness from high school, but added consistency.

Weygandt's dedication to her training program and self-motivation have helped her set records as a freshman.

"In the elite athlete world, especially in track and field and pole vaulting, you have to have the inner desire and the 'want' to do it," Light said. "Shade definitely has that."

Weygandt's long-term goal is to compete in the Olympics. She is aiming for the 2012 London Olympics or the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"I have no doubt that she is on the path for the Olympics," Light said. "That's the path we are creating for her here. That's the only thing I have on my mind, coaching her from that situation back. I'm looking at 2012, the world meet this summer, and her training program."

Weygandt plans to compete in the London qualifying to represent the U.S. and gain experience.

"I'm figuring out how to get from here to there, right now," she said. "That's my motivating goal."



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[AVC Coach]

Great article! Good luck Shade!