Jocelyn Lindsay article (Purdue)

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http://www.purdueexponent.org/index.php ... le_id/3906

Senior vaults into home stretch of outdoor season
By David Brienza
Staff Writer

Senior pole vaulter Jocelyn Lindsay used to be a gymnast.

Then, luckily for Purdue, Pennsylvania introduced the pole vault as an official event Lindsay's freshman year.

Lindsay's high school coach at Waynesburg Central, Howard Brunell, saw something in Lindsay the day he talked her into pole vaulting.

"She had tremendous athletic ability," Brunell said. " She was in gymnastics and that helped. You just can't teach someone to do what she could do. She caught on so quick."

Lindsay's quick acclimation to the pole vault led to state championships her freshman and senior seasons. She placed second in the state her sophomore and junior seasons.

Echoing Brunell, Lindsay credits part of her success to gymnastics and to the fact that she's probably a bit crazy.

"Gymnastics has helped a lot with flexibility," Lindsay said. "Vaulting just became second nature."

Along with her high school success Lindsay's attitude and desire has left a lasting impression here at Purdue as well. Lindsay, who was voted a team captain the last two seasons, has become a leader for Purdue and one of the Big Ten's elite pole vaulters.

"She came in and enjoyed some success as a freshman and sophomore and then she got voted as a captain," coach Jack Warner said. "She's been a tremendous leader, a solid performer and we're going to miss her bright smile every day."

Apart from her athletic ability, Lindsay, who helps out her high school team when visiting home, still manages to impress Brunell.

"She's a great person who is a part of our community," Brunell said. "She'll come home and try and give as much time as she has to the vaulters."

In 2003, as a freshman, Lindsay placed second at the New York Armory Collegiate Invitational and then won the same event in 2004 as a sophomore, clearing the bar at 12-7 1/2.

As a junior in 2005, Lindsay placed third at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and fifth in the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Lindsay then went on to place seventh at the NCAA regional qualifiers.

This season, Lindsay, who is ranked No. 21 in the country, leads a talented trio of Boilermaker pole vaulters, who are all ranked in the top 25 ? freshmen Brianna Neumann and Mallory Peck are ranked No. 22 and No. 25.

In her last season at Purdue, Lindsay is looking to reach the NCAA championships on June 7 to 10 in Sacramento, Calif. Lindsay, who has been consistently clearing 13 feet, said if she can clear 13-3, she'll make it to California.