Jen Stuczynski 15-0, attempts AR

[polevaultpower]

One problem with all of this is we don't really have an idea for their 100m (or 60m ) potential since they barely run the events.

Exactly. Most pole vaulters have not run the 100m dash very often, especially at the stage in their careers where they are vaulting high.

Running a good 100 or 60 takes some practice at things like getting out of the blocks. And 100m is considerably further than a vaulter is going to run down the runway.

[tafnut]

To me, Pyrek's example shows that excellent technique can compensate for serious lacks in other departments.

and my counter is that the best technique in the world won't help you hold high enough to make an international height. I believe (but don't quote me here) is that the best females (as a group) are getting a 2' push-off (men are 3' to 4'), so if she can't hold at least 14' (remembering that the box is 8" deep), AND push her mass to the top of that pole, she's not gonna make it. And that, mon amie, takes power (aka, in this regard, SPEED).

Furthermore (and I DON"T mean to be picking apart your words here, Powell) the idea that Pyrek can have 'serious lacks in other departments' and still be as good as she is, is kind of insulting to her.

[polevaultpower]

If you want to look at another event that indicates potential in the pole vault, the long jump might be a better way to go.

[EPelle]

Good... now we are getting into Mary Saxer territory. And that brings in Klüft.

[tafnut]

If you want to look at another event that indicates potential in the pole vault, the long jump might be a better way to go.

true dat - I'll take a good LJer with above average upper body strength - any day of the week. I have had good LJ prospects with Olive Oyl arms that could never do well in the vault.

[SQUACKEE]

carl lewis jumped 30 ft and his world class speed didnt hurt him!

[Daisy]

Carl Lewis jumped 30 ft and his world class speed didnt hurt him!

Did this guy ever try the pole vault? He may have been pretty useful.

[trackfan_27]

Back to Dartmouth Relays. Jen may not be coming but the weather today in New England was perfect for the drive from Buffalo.

All of the above comments on potential for vaulters are valid but the biggest advantage for improvment is gettting on that runway every day and doing the drills. The best club vaulters are always the kids who get to that pit 3 or 4 times a week consistently. Now that Jen can focus 100% of her time on one event and she has the basic athletic talent to progress, with a coach like Rick, we could be seeing our best vaulter ever in the US coming up. Would love to see her tomorrow if she comes.

[tafnut]

we could be seeing our best vaulter ever in the US coming up.

Easy there, big fella - Stacy ain't done yet, and it's not gonna be easy to fill her spikes in the near future as America's preeminent PVer!

[MJD]

Today:


4.22 4.40 4.62 4.71
O O XXO XXP

[Daisy]

Today:
4.22 4.40 4.62 4.71
O O XXO XXP

I just had to do the conversion for myself so in case any one else needs the info (Mark?) 15 foot is approx 4.58 m

[mojo]

You guys are right! Speed is very important although not 100m speed since the distance run is less than 40m. The key to vaulting high is the amount of kinetic energy you can generate as a large portion is imparted to the pole as strain energy which is then given back to the vaulter when the pole straightens. Kinetic energy is calculated as 1/2mv squared. That's right - velocity squared! So you can see that even a small increase in speed will dramatically increase the kinetic energy that the vaulter can apply to both the push from the ground and into the pole as strain energy. Another key is the height of the vaulters' hand at the moment of takeoff - the higher the hand, the higher the jump for the same speed. Of interest is Sergei Bubka who ran 10.3 and long jumped 25'6". He was also extremely strong in the upper body - as thick as he was wide. To hold the upper arm solid and pushing as the impact is made with the pole at the back of the box also helps to hold higher on the pole (17' in Bubka's case). I know of one local vaulter who didn't break 12.0 in the 100m but benched 430 lbs. and vaulted 5.35m, Love this topic - the DH .

[pv22']

uuuuuuuuuuuu, anyone who dosent think speed is a MAJOR factor in the pv, well think again. i remember a t&f interview with billy olson. someting like this "speed or power" billy said speed.....................