Melinda Owen hits Big Apple

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Owen hits Big Apple
Olympic hopeful places third in Madison Square Garden


Posted: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 5:39 pm
By Brandon Hansen, Sports editor | 0 comments
NEW YORK - It's the most famous sports arena in the world. That's where Polson High School graduate and Olympic hopeful Melinda Owen kicked off her 2011 track and field season with a third place finish in the pole vault event.
On Jan. 28, the former University of Idaho track and field athlete cleared a height of 4.4 meters at Madison Square Gardens as part of the 104th Millrose Games.
"It was really, really cool to compete in Madison Square Garden," Owen said. "The talent was amazing, it was neat to compete at that high of a level."
And what about those that placed ahead of her? They were none other than the No. 1 and No. 2 pole vaulters in the world.
"I'm slowly coming up to compete with them realistically," Owen said.
The former Polson Pirate trains in San Diego at the Olympic Training Center and has been a world-ranked pole-vaulter.
The Millrose Games were a kickoff to the indoor season, and as a "Grand Prix" event, points earned by Owen will allow her to compete in other Grand Prix events.
"Indoor is a very, very short season," Owen said.
In fact, the indoor national championships will take place at the end of February and Owen is especially excited because her family will be able to come and watch her compete at the event in Albuquerque, N.M.
After that, Owen will turn her sights to the outdoor world championships being held this year.
And if she keeps turning in performances like the one in New York, she'll be wowing more people than just those in Madison Square Garden.