OR State - Juilfs 16-4.75
Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 9:46 am
http://www.registerguard.com/web/sports ... n.html.csp
Class 6A track and field: JJ Juilfs returns to the top for Sheldon in the pole vault
The Sheldon senior repeats as state pole vault champion just months after being sidelined with a back injury
BY CHRIS HANSEN
The Register-Guard
Published: (Saturday, May 21, 2011 04:25AM) Today
There was once a time when JJ Juilfs was the best high school pole vaulter in the country, clearing heights that left college coaches clamoring for a commitment from the Sheldon standout.
But a debilitating back injury sidelined Juilfs last fall, and the Irish senior questioned whether he would ever be able to return to the sport again.
He did, and on Friday, Juilfs continued his comeback by winning his second state title during the opening day of the Class 6A track and field championship meet at Hayward Field.
“It’s incredible,” Juilfs said. “I thought my career was done. I’m incredibly thankful to come out here and capture a state title.”
Juilfs won the competition when he cleared 16 feet, 4 3/4 inches on his first attempt at that height. Brandon Hooper of South Medford was second at 15-6. Juilfs missed on three attempts at 16-10 to end the event.
“It was a good vault,” said Juilfs of getting over 16-4 3/4. “It’s the first time I’ve cleared that height since last year.”
Juilfs won the 2010 state title with a mark of 17-3/4 — the best vault in the nation last year. But late in the summer he starting experiencing back pain and was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back. Still, he played his senior season of football last fall, but when the season ended, he shut himself down.
“It was incredibly painful,” Juilfs said. “I took three months off after football and did nothing but sit around and watch cartoons. It was a very difficult time for me.”
He resumed training earlier this spring, though it’s still a regime that consists only of vaulting once a week and “doing sit-ups.” He finally returned to competition on April 26 and then won the Southwest Conference district meet last week at 16-0.
“If you love something enough,” said Juilfs, who is heading to Washington next year, “you’ll find a way to come through.”
Class 6A track and field: JJ Juilfs returns to the top for Sheldon in the pole vault
The Sheldon senior repeats as state pole vault champion just months after being sidelined with a back injury
BY CHRIS HANSEN
The Register-Guard
Published: (Saturday, May 21, 2011 04:25AM) Today
There was once a time when JJ Juilfs was the best high school pole vaulter in the country, clearing heights that left college coaches clamoring for a commitment from the Sheldon standout.
But a debilitating back injury sidelined Juilfs last fall, and the Irish senior questioned whether he would ever be able to return to the sport again.
He did, and on Friday, Juilfs continued his comeback by winning his second state title during the opening day of the Class 6A track and field championship meet at Hayward Field.
“It’s incredible,” Juilfs said. “I thought my career was done. I’m incredibly thankful to come out here and capture a state title.”
Juilfs won the competition when he cleared 16 feet, 4 3/4 inches on his first attempt at that height. Brandon Hooper of South Medford was second at 15-6. Juilfs missed on three attempts at 16-10 to end the event.
“It was a good vault,” said Juilfs of getting over 16-4 3/4. “It’s the first time I’ve cleared that height since last year.”
Juilfs won the 2010 state title with a mark of 17-3/4 — the best vault in the nation last year. But late in the summer he starting experiencing back pain and was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back. Still, he played his senior season of football last fall, but when the season ended, he shut himself down.
“It was incredibly painful,” Juilfs said. “I took three months off after football and did nothing but sit around and watch cartoons. It was a very difficult time for me.”
He resumed training earlier this spring, though it’s still a regime that consists only of vaulting once a week and “doing sit-ups.” He finally returned to competition on April 26 and then won the Southwest Conference district meet last week at 16-0.
“If you love something enough,” said Juilfs, who is heading to Washington next year, “you’ll find a way to come through.”