Shawn Thomas learning pole vault on the fly (LA)

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http://www.bastropenterprise.com/sports ... on-the-fly

Thomas learning pole vault on the fly
By Marq MitchamAlthought Shawn Thomas' pole vaulting career consists of only two meets, he has qualified for Saturday's Class 4A state event at LSU.
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By Marq Mitcham
Bastrop Daily Enterprise
Fri May 08, 2009, 12:45 AM CDT
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Bastrop, La. -
During practice about a month ago, Shawn Thomas grabbed a pole and nailed an eight-foot vault on his first try.

Thomas had discovered his niche and the Bastrop High track team had found a pole vaulter.

With only two meets under his belt, Thomas will compete in the Class 4A State Meet at LSU on Saturday afternoon.

Thomas’ final high school track season has been filled with enough subplots for a movie.

To begin with, he was held out of the Rams’ first two meets.

“I had to get my grades up to my parents standards,” Thomas said. “Coach (DeCarlos) Holmes went and talked to my parents and they said I could practice one day a week. I took full advantage of that one day.”

Competing in the 400, Thomas placed fourth at Richwood and Rayville, runner-up in the Toyota of Bastrop Ram Relays and fourth in the District 2-4A meet.

Meanwhile, he began to pursue the pole vault. But, alas, the Richwood and Rayville meets did not offer the event. His long-awaited debut was postponed yet again when the pole vault was scratched at the Ram Relays due to the threat of rain.

Quickly realizing his potential in the pole vault, Thomas made Holmes a promise.

“I told coach Holmes if he would get me a pole, I would give him a representative in the State Meet,” Thomas said. “I was working with a 135-pound pole and I weigh 138.”

Holmes came through with a second-hand 150-pound pole and Thomas delivered by finishing second in the District 2-4A Meet and third in the Regional.

Thomas cleared 11-0 in district, before beating out the District 2-4A champion with a 12-0 effort at the Regional.

Thomas will join his girl friend at the State Meet. Kari Payton, Bastrop’s two-time Female Athlete of the Year, will compete in the 400 for the second straight year.

“I told Kari at the beginning of the year that I was going to the State Meet,” Thomas recalled.

At the time, he had no idea it would be in the pole vault.

Coach Free (Sedarrin Freeman), coach Skip (Jackie Skipper) and Kari really encouraged me,” Thomas said.

Not that Thomas needed a lot of encouragement. He was hooked after the first jump.

“I love the rush of going up so high and coming back down,” Thomas said.
Jumping into pole vaulting full throttle, Thomas has sought information wherever available. His father, Angelo Miller who now resides in McKinney, Texas, competed in the State Meet for Ruston High School.

“My dad has coached me over the phone,” Thomas said. “He’s real excited that I’ve taken up pole vaulting.”

One afternoon at practice, Keith Reynolds spotted Thomas vaulting and came over to observe. Reynolds, who went on to compete for ULM, is believed to be the Rams’ last representative in the pole vault at the State Meet.

“(Reynolds) was working on a house across the street and saw me pole vaulting,” Thomas said. “He gave me some tips on my foot work.”

Thomas has also spoken to Ouachita Christian coach Daniel Bristo. In fact, Thomas plans to use one of OCS’ poles on Saturday.

“I cleared 12 feet starting with my left foot,” Thomas said. “Coach Bristo said, ‘That was nasty. You’re doing it all wrong.’

“I’m learning something knew every time I go out. When I started, all I knew was to get over the bar, and that’s what I did.”

Additionally, Thomas has used the new school means of gathering tips by viewing youtube.com.

Due to his father’s pole vaulting background, Thomas has always been curious about the event. But he stuck to running as the school did not have a pole vaulting pit until this year.

Thomas has already discovered that pole vaulting has its pitfalls. He twisted his ankle in the District Meet and was hit in the mouth another time. As far as Thomas is concerned, it’s all part of the learning process.

“I was jumping 12-6 and the pole ricocheted, busted my lip and cut my gums,” Thomas said. “I learned that you have to push the pole out of the way.”

Despite his lack of experience, Thomas says he doesn’t expect to be intimidated by the atmosphere at LSU. Though a backup wide receiver his entire career, Thomas says he gained mental toughness from playing football.

“I just have a mindset from playing football for coach (Brad) Bradshaw that you can’t live in fear,” Thomas said. “He used to always tell us that the crowd can’t do anything for you. You have to do it yourself.”

Refusing to use his inexperience as an excuse, Thomas isn’t just happy to qualify for the State Meet. On the contrary, he is leaving for Baton Rouge this afternoon with high expectations.

“I’m going down there to win,” Thomas said.

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http://www.bastropenterprise.com/sports ... awn-Thomas

Bastrop, La. -
* Hobbies: Playing video games, running.

* Favorite sports memory: Beating the district champion at the Regional Meet.

* Most embarrassing sports memory: At football practice, I was blindsided off a mesh play. Devin Richards laid me out.

* Funniest sports memory: When Randall Mackey flipped into the endzone in the state championship game.

* Pre-event ritual: I pray.

* Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant.

* Favorite team: L.A. Lakers.

* Sporting event I would most like to attend: A Lakers game.

* Favorite class: Algebra II with Ms. (Elizabeth) Riles.

* Favorite food: Rice.

* Favorite musical artist: Canton Jones.

* Favorite movie: Love & Basketball.

* Favorite Web site: youtube.com.

* Favorite book: ‘A Time to Kill,’ by John Grisham.

* Hidden talents: I play the piano at Pearl St. Church of God, and also play the drums and write poetry.

* One possession I couldn’t live without: My Xbox 360.

* Dream vacation destination: Honolulu, Hawaii. I would also like to travel to the Philippines and learn more about my culture.

* Person who has had the most influence on my life (other than my parents): My grandmother, Oretha Thomas.

* Future plans: Attend college, pole vault and major in architecture.




http://www.bastropenterprise.com/sports ... Thomas-Bio

Bastrop, La. -
Class: Junior.

Event: Pole vault.

Season: Placed second at District 2-4A Meet and third at Regional to qualify for State. ... Also competed in the 400, placing fourth at Regional. ... Finished second in 400 at Toyota of Bastrop Ram Relays.

Career: Three-year member of the track team and two-year cross country letterman. ... Backup wide receiver in football.

Miscellaneous: Talented musician, plays trombone for BHS Ram Pride band. ... Grandfather, John Thomas, played on state championship baseball team for coach Willie Fitch at Morehouse High School and went on to play for Grambling State University.

Next meet: Class 4A State Meet, Saturday, LSU.