PoleVaultPower.com

Behind every great vaulter there is usually a great coach, who deserves recognition. When HS guy's vault 16' , 17', even 18' it is not by accident. A great athlete can jump 13', occasionally 14', and on rare occasions 15' without a coach. But to go beyond that it typically takes more. For HS girls I would say coaches of girls above 12' or 13'. When great athletes and great coaches combine it makes for some great vaulting. Let's post some deserving coaches names.

Coaches like Rick Baggett, who has coached Tommy Skipper since I think 7th grade. Rick is an awesome coach, I learn something everytime I am around him.

I would be particularly interested in knowing who was the coach of Casey Carrigan, who jumped 17'+ in HS in the 1960's. Or was Casey just a freak of nature?

As far as I know Carrigan was coached by his dad. He pole vaulted in his backyard as a kid and I have never heard a coach mentioned while he was in high school. Maybe Zack can ask Dick Henrie about it, since Dick vaulted against him in HS.

Joe Hester - Orangefield HS, TX
Eric Eshbach - 18'2
Jacob Davis - 17'6
Jonathan Henly - 17'3
Wayne Guidry - 17'0?

Numerous 16'ers

How many 13'ers has Jan coached?

Off the top of my head:

Kira Costa
Shayla Ballentine
Chelsea Johnson
Monica Pacas

Who else?

I dont really have a coach, and I have managed pretty well.

It will catch up with you, someone has to be in charge, My dad coached me and taught me alot on an off of the track.

Someone has to be there to push you on those days that you arent motivated to do anything, because it will all catch up with you SCOTT!!
trust me!!
i still see my college coachs on occasions

Glad to have passed the torch onto someone a lot more knowledgeable than myself!!!! All vaulters need that push once in a while.

Hey mr lancon,
call me at 337-475-5204

OAKPV2004 wrote:I dont really have a coach, and I have managed pretty well.

Scott, you have done a great job so far. Just think of where you can go with a good coach. The toughest part for you at this point will be getting rid of the bad habits you have developed on your own. The key to taking it to the next level will be making those changes and, as always, conditioning.

lonestar wrote:Joe Hester - Orangefield HS, TX
Eric Eshbach - 18'2
Jacob Davis - 17'6
Jonathan Henly - 17'3
Wayne Guidry - 17'0?

Numerous 16'ers

I spoke at length with Coach Hester at JO National's in Miami. Enjoyed the conversation. He had some interesting stories about Jacob and no one believing how high he was jumping, and not giving him credit for records at the time.

Jan has done an incredible job with the HS girls. He is by far #1 with them.

I would like to mention Cranston Hysong as one of the better pole vault coaches around. He has, if you know him, he brings out the best from each of his vaulters he has, even though he has not had as much talent as some may want. Regardles he really knows the event extremely well, and is always more than willing to help as long as your willing to work. After all, he did coach Nick Hysong to 17'4.50" in hs, and low and behold, 2000 olympic Gold Medalist. He also coached me to 16' 8.75" and as Mr. Shealy said, an athlete can only go so far without a good coach. I know he definitely pushed me to excell, and without him I wouldnt be where I am now for sure.

wacky274 wrote:...Cranston Hysong... brings out the best from each of his vaulters he has, even though he has not had as much talent as some may want.

I know you're not referring to yourself. LOL

Coaching is in some ways like fishing. If you don't put your line in the water you definitely won't catch anything. And occasionally you land a lunker.