Jim Julian Article in the Houston paper

[souleman]

Newsmakers
Vaulter reaches new heights
At 71, Houston's Julian captures national crown

A perspective forged by a victorious battle with colon cancer left Jim Julian pondering the impact of his gold-medal effort in the pole vault at the USA Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Cooke Field on the campus of the University of Hawaii.

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"Your life doesn't have to end," Julian said. "(Cancer) doesn't have to slow you down."

Julian, 71, claimed his first national title Thursday by clearing eight feet in his final vault of the Men's 70-74 Division, besting a 35-year Marine Corps veteran.

A three-time Texas Senior Olympics champion (2001-03), Julian was motivated by a loss in 2004 and a fourth-place finish at the 2004 USA Masters Indoor Championships in Boston.

An Austin High School graduate and resident of the same northwest Houston subdivision for 45 years, Julian picked up pole vaulting at the tender age of 65, taking a cue from a neighbor who routinely competed in the Senior Olympics.

A real estate appraiser/broker for about 40 years, Julian impulsively decided it was time to tackle a new challenge.

"He was sitting on the couch one day and said, 'I think I want to do something,' " said Julian's daughter, Joni Julian Thrasher.

Julian had dabbled in boxing and gymnastics before starting vaulting workouts at nearby Scarborough High School. He built a vaulting pit in his backyard and, after beating cancer in his late 50s, developed into a masters champion in the pole vault with ease.

After completing the leap from state to national champion, Julian figures he is due a break.

"I might take a sabbatical for a couple of months," he said. "I want to do what normal people do for a while. I need a banana split."

MOISEKAPENDA BOWER

GO JIM!

[Vaulting Fan]

Yeah Jim (Dad)! We are all so proud of your determination, effort, and success.

And congratulations to Jim's friend/coach/mentor, Doug "Bubba" Sparks, who placed 3rd (M50) in Hawaii.....

You guys inspire us all!

[Bubba PV]

I'm happy to say that Jim is my training partner and quite an inspiration.

Bubba