Skipper Signs With Oregon... Again
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 9:36 pm
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/ ... .1119.html
Pole vault champion will enroll at UO
By Bob Rodman
The Register-Guard
Tommy Skipper, who set the national high school pole vault record of 18 feet, 3 inches earlier this year, has signed a financial aid agreement with the University of Oregon.
The former Sandy High School star is scheduled to enroll in January for the start of winter term.
Skipper was unavailable for comment on Tuesday night, but Martin Smith, the director of the UO combined men's and women's track and field program, was thrilled.
"This is a big sign," he said. "Tommy is the national high school male track and field athlete of the year. This is the first time we have signed someone of that stature and profile.
"It's an exciting and special moment to have someone who is considered the best high school track and field athlete in the country come into our program."
Skipper is the brother of the late Art Skipper, who competed for Oregon from 1989-92 and ranks second on the Ducks' javelin list with a throw of 251-8.
Tommy Skipper was a senior at Sandy last spring when he led the Pioneers to the Class 4A state high school track and field championship by winning the pole vault with a state meet-record jump of 17-7, winning the 100 meters in 10.88 seconds and finishing second in the 200 with a time of 21.86.
He followed those efforts by winning the pole vault at the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships in June at Sacramento, with a jump of 18- 1/2 .
Skipper set the national prep pole vault record at the Golden West Invitational later that month, also in Sacramento.
"Tommy possesses a tremendous athletic talent and accomplishments," Smith said. "This is a wonderful thing for track in the state and community. It is accelerated by the fact that he is from Oregon, is a great high school athlete and holds a national high school record."
A three-time state pole vault champion, Skipper - who had visited Nebraska and Oregon but last spring committed to the Ducks - opted last summer to train for the 2004 Olympic Trials with a group of decathletes in Jonesboro, Ark.
Those plans apparently changed.
"My opinion is that Tommy is an incredibly gifted and talented athlete, and he has the ability to have an outstanding college career as well as an outstanding career outside of college," Smith said.
"I think he wanted time to think and make sure that the decision he made was the right one."
Once enrolled at Oregon, Smith said, Skipper will be eligible immediately to compete for the Ducks during the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Smith gave much of the credit for recruiting Skipper to Bill Lawson, the UO assistant coach who will be the incoming freshman's event coach.
"The pole vault will be Tommy's primary focus, but he obviously has ability in a number of areas," Smith said. "He and Bill will evaluate what direction to go as Tommy's season and career develops."
Pole vault champion will enroll at UO
By Bob Rodman
The Register-Guard
Tommy Skipper, who set the national high school pole vault record of 18 feet, 3 inches earlier this year, has signed a financial aid agreement with the University of Oregon.
The former Sandy High School star is scheduled to enroll in January for the start of winter term.
Skipper was unavailable for comment on Tuesday night, but Martin Smith, the director of the UO combined men's and women's track and field program, was thrilled.
"This is a big sign," he said. "Tommy is the national high school male track and field athlete of the year. This is the first time we have signed someone of that stature and profile.
"It's an exciting and special moment to have someone who is considered the best high school track and field athlete in the country come into our program."
Skipper is the brother of the late Art Skipper, who competed for Oregon from 1989-92 and ranks second on the Ducks' javelin list with a throw of 251-8.
Tommy Skipper was a senior at Sandy last spring when he led the Pioneers to the Class 4A state high school track and field championship by winning the pole vault with a state meet-record jump of 17-7, winning the 100 meters in 10.88 seconds and finishing second in the 200 with a time of 21.86.
He followed those efforts by winning the pole vault at the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships in June at Sacramento, with a jump of 18- 1/2 .
Skipper set the national prep pole vault record at the Golden West Invitational later that month, also in Sacramento.
"Tommy possesses a tremendous athletic talent and accomplishments," Smith said. "This is a wonderful thing for track in the state and community. It is accelerated by the fact that he is from Oregon, is a great high school athlete and holds a national high school record."
A three-time state pole vault champion, Skipper - who had visited Nebraska and Oregon but last spring committed to the Ducks - opted last summer to train for the 2004 Olympic Trials with a group of decathletes in Jonesboro, Ark.
Those plans apparently changed.
"My opinion is that Tommy is an incredibly gifted and talented athlete, and he has the ability to have an outstanding college career as well as an outstanding career outside of college," Smith said.
"I think he wanted time to think and make sure that the decision he made was the right one."
Once enrolled at Oregon, Smith said, Skipper will be eligible immediately to compete for the Ducks during the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Smith gave much of the credit for recruiting Skipper to Bill Lawson, the UO assistant coach who will be the incoming freshman's event coach.
"The pole vault will be Tommy's primary focus, but he obviously has ability in a number of areas," Smith said. "He and Bill will evaluate what direction to go as Tommy's season and career develops."
I cant wait till vaultingus updates his roster i cant wait to see were everyones at. Who else does TTECH HAVE? Most, Thames,...?
he could qualify this year