Emily Grove atop national prep vault scene (IL)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/high-s ... 03286.html


Pontiac's Grove atop national prep vault scene

By Randy Sharer | rsharer@pantagraph.com | Posted: Tuesday, February 1, 2011 7:00 am | No Comments Posted


Pontiac's Emily Grove competes in the pole vault at the IHSA state track and field meet Saturday, May 22, 2010, at O'Brien Stadium in Charleston. (Pantagraph/Joel Fellers)
Related Links

PONTIAC -- In sports they say it's easier to chase than be chased and it's easier to get to the top than stay there.

This explains why Emily Grove is uneasy about where she's at in her pole vaulting career.

The reigning Class 2A state champion from Pontiac High School entered last weekend's 21st National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev., with the nation's top high school clearance of 13 feet, 1.5 inches.

"It's kind of tough," said Grove of her lofty ranking. "But it gives you a little push to keep that spot so I've just got to keep working hard."

Grove worked her way over 12-6 last May to set a Class 2A state meet record. Now she routinely makes 13-0 in practice at the Flying Dragons Pole Vault Club in Normal.

"She's faster," said Flying Dragons coach Mike Cockerham, who watched Grove clear 12-8 at Reno for third in her division. "She's stronger and I have her on bigger poles."

The 5-foot-6, 115-pound Grove is fast enough to bend poles 13 feet long that were built for 160-pounders. She's even been on poles meant for 170-pounders.

Grove first cleared 13-0 last summer. She got over 13-1.5 in Chicago on Dec. 18, just missing at 13-3.

"I thought I was over it," Grove said. "When you're coming down, you can't get out of the way and that's what it felt like. I just need to put it together now."

In particular, Grove wants to make her approach and takeoff more consistent.

"It's my run that I just need to speed up," she said. "Sometimes I slow down."

Cockerham expects her to make 13-6 before the outdoor season begins.

"Outdoors, she may even go a little higher, it just depends," he said. "If we catch the right day, right pole, right wind, right temp, it could all come together."

Cockerham rates Grove as competitive as anyone he has trained, which is saying a lot considering he has trained state champions Logan Pflibsen of Streator, Phil Hanson of Pontiac, Emily Clay of University High and Sarah Bell of Central Catholic among others.

"I compete with myself pretty much," Grove said. "It's just me and the bar. It's not about the other competitors."

For Grove, being a Flying Dragon is all about having fun.

"I like all the people here," she said. "Practice is always fun because everyone is just having a good time ... music is going. Everybody tries to help each other."

Next year Grove will be competing on a full scholarship for the University of South Dakota where the school record is 12-8 outdoors and 12-7 indoors. She will sign a letter of intent this month.

South Dakota pole vaulters are coached by two-time Olympian Derek Miles, whose personal best is 19-2.5.

Grove, who will study dental hygiene, chose South Dakota over Arkansas and Minnesota.

"Unfortunately, it's nine hours away," said Grove, who knows it's sometimes easier to get a college scholarship than get to the college.

[hiphipjorge]

those are old records for USD, they are higher now =)