Publication Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2004
TRACK & FIELD
Stevenson joins the elite in pole vault
Stevenson joins the elite in pole vault
(May 12, 2004) by Keith Peters
Toby Stevenson has always been known as the guy in the helmet, even after winning the NCAA pole vault title in 1998 while competing for Stanford.
While his black roller blade hockey helmet has been worn for protection since his high school days in Texas, it has received more attention than Stevenson's vaulting talents.
"Yes, I guess I'll always be known as 'the vaulter in the helmet,'" Stevenson said. "But, hopefully now, I'll be known primarily as just a good vaulter."
Stevenson likely overshadowed his helmet for good with a remarkable performance at last weekend's 63rd annual Tom Moore Modesto Relays. The 27-year-old Stanford grad became only the ninth man in history to reach the six-meter mark outdoors, vaulting a 2004 world-leading 19 feet, 8 1/4 inches.
Stevenson came within an inch of the American record of 19-9 1/4 by Jeff Hartwig, who was second in Modesto at 18-10 1/4, and now ranks No. 2 all-time in U.S. history. The world outdoor record is 20-1 3/4 by Sergey Bubka of Ukraine in 1994.
"I've been expecting a big one all year," Stevenson said. "Everything has been coming together recently - my diet, my training . . . everything. I didn't wake up in the morning expecting it would happen today, but you never do for something like this."
Aiding Stevenson's remarkable day was a new, bigger pole. After using his usual pole to clear a personal record of 19-2 1/4, Stevenson unwrapped the new implement and proceeded to clear another PR of 19-4 3/4. After two misses at 19-8 1/4, Stevenson gathered himself and roared down the runway to the sounds of fans clapping in rhythm.
As Stevenson cleared the bar on his 11th jump of the day and fell back to earth, the world suddenly changed as he officially joined the world's elite in the event.
With the adrenaline still flowing from his clearance, a tired Stevenson made three attempts at an American-record height of 19-9 3/4, coming close on his third try.
"I was tired," Stevenson admitted, "but when you're going for an American record, the energy comes."
Stevenson will focus that energy on his next week this weekend in Phoenix, Ariz., then will set his sights on the Home Depot Invitational on May 22 in Carson and then wind up this month with an appearance at his old home pit at Stanford University for the Payton Jordan U.S. Open on Monday, May 31.
Stevenson hasn't vaulted at Stanford since last summer at the U.S. National Championships, when he failed to clear 18-8 1/4 and finish among the top three - missing a berth in the World Championships by one spot. He bounced back to win the gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games.
Now, however, Stevenson is more consistent. A 19-foot vault suddenly has become almost commonplace. He vaulted 19-0 3/4 indoors to win his first national title in the winter, and now is eyeing a top-three finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials July 9-18 in Sacramento.
Stacy Dragila is holding a similar goal, even though she's probably shooting for another victory at the U.S. trials. Dragila, the former world recordholder and 2000 Olympic gold medalist, is the current world leader at 15-5. She didn't bump that up in Modesto, settling for a victory at 14-11 on her third attempt.
"I was a little bummed I didn't jump a little higher," Dragila said. "I actually practiced better (today) and brought out the longer poles. The tailwind was awesome. I just needed to figure it out . . . It's all there. It's just a matter of time ironing it out and making it smooth."
Dragila will join Stevenson at Stanford on May 31 for the Payton Jordan U.S. Open. The rest of the top-flight field includes Kellie Suttle, Mary Sauer, Jillian Schwartz, Becky Holliday, Tracy O'Hara and Dana Ellis-Buller.
Suttle ranked No. 2 in the U.S. last season with a best of 15-0 1/4, while Sauer was No. 3, Schwartz No. 5, Holliday No. 6 and O'Hara No. 7. This season, Sauer ranks No. 4 in the world at 15-0 with O'Hara No. 6 in the world and Ellis-Buller at No. 8. O'Hara and Holliday are both former collegiate recordholders.
The IAAF Grand Prix I meet, a stop on the USATF Golden Spike Tour, will feature many of the finest world and American athletes who'll be continuing their preparation for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
The meet will be televised by ESPN2 and shown on a tape-delayed basis on Tuesday, June 1 from 6-7 p.m. (PDT). A Kid's Clinic, which will be held at the track beginning at 10 a.m., is free. All the participants will receive a general admission ticket.
The meet is named in honor of former Stanford track and field coach Payton Jordan, who brought the 1960 U.S. Olympic Trials and the famed 1962 U.S.-U.S.S.R. track meet to Stanford.
Tickets for the Memorial Day event are $35 for reserved seating and $15 for general admission, and can be purchased by phone at 1-800-STANFORD or in person at Stanford Athletic Department Ticket Office, Gate 2, at Stanford Stadium.
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