10.18.07
This off-season has started off really well for PVU athletes. There has been a lot of growth and new goals set for the 2008 season. Everyone has been working from short run along with doing their off-season workouts. The young guys have really increased their speed and strength. The focus has been on moving larger poles from shorter runs with more sound technique.
Kellen has improved on the top of his vault allowing him to take some looks at 14 feet for the first time. We hope to have a shot at 15 foot during the Summit this year. His run now has much more power and with his increased speed he will be jumping on 4.40m poles in the next couple of weeks from short run.
Brendan, too, has improved his all around jump giving him good looks at 13 feet from short early this year. His progression is going well with plenty of room to spare for the next couple of bars before the start of the season.
James, a new comer to PVU and back in the sport after a 30 year absence, has a great desire to compete in the senior games in a couple of years. He competed in his first meet in 30 years last month with a clearance of 9'6". A good start, but he has the ability to jump 13 feet by the summer.
As for me, I have taken a slower approach to the off-season with the focus being on a long season and summer to come. Fitness levels are high and short run vaulting is technically pretty sound. We hope to finish off 2007 with a couple of PR's from short before going out to Reno to start the season.
I hope everyone's off-season is going well and we will see you in Reno.
Gordy