Jess Kloss Article (NJ)
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:10 am
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/s ... 41505e.htm
Kloss ready to grab pole vault spotlight
Friday, April 15, 2005
By KEVIN CRANSTON
Courier-Post Staff
Jess Kloss knows all too well how it feels to put out a great individual effort and still come up short.
The Moorestown High School senior cleared 12 feet in the pole vault last track and field season and wasn't even the best in the state. In fact, Kloss wasn't even the top vaulter in South Jersey.
No matter how well Kloss jumped over the past two seasons, she always seemed to be overshadowed by former Shawnee standout Danielle O'Reilly, a two-time Meet of Champions winner.
But that won't be the case this spring.
O'Reilly is now at the University of Arkansas and it's Kloss' turn to assume the title as South Jersey's, and maybe even the state's, best vaulter.
"Danielle had her time," Kloss said. "With her gone, it gives me a chance now."
Moorestown coach John Denning agrees.
"This should be her year," he said. "For the past couple years, it has been Jess and Danielle leading the way in the pole vault. But with Danielle not around, the door is open for her."
Last spring, Kloss, who has made a verbal commitment to Princeton University, won Group 3 sectional and state titles and cleared 11 feet to finish second in the Meet of Champions to none other than O'Reilly.
This past indoor season, she competed in several meets at HIP Athletics in Mount Laurel, where she cleared 12-0 a few times.
Since then, Kloss has been working on her speed down the runway and perfecting her turn once in the air.
Denning says if Kloss can improve in these two areas, some big-time clearances will be within reach. "She wants to get a shot at 13-0 and I think if she can get the turn down, she can get it," Denning said.
Although clearing 13-0 would be nice for Kloss, she admits it isn't her main focus. Instead, she wants to vault 12-0 or 12-6 every time out.
"I really want to be more consistent this year," Kloss said. "To do that, I need to improve my technique."
Helping Kloss with her technique is first-year Moorestown assistant Curtis Clarke, who pole vaulted for West Deptford.
"He vaults with us and he really understands where we are coming from," Kloss said.
"I've never had a pole vault coach before, so I think the same person watching and critiquing me will help."
Kloss, who hasn't competed since the winter, will jump for the first time this season Saturday at the West Deptford Relays. In addition to the pole vault, Kloss also does the long jump and triple jump. "It will be interesting because I'm still messing around with poles," Kloss said. "I would like to clear 11 in the first meet. I'm hoping to make a smooth transition from my smaller pole to a bigger one."
And just as Kloss will make the transition from one pole to another throughout the season, she will also make the transition from being the one that's doing the chasing to the one being chased.
Kloss ready to grab pole vault spotlight
Friday, April 15, 2005
By KEVIN CRANSTON
Courier-Post Staff
Jess Kloss knows all too well how it feels to put out a great individual effort and still come up short.
The Moorestown High School senior cleared 12 feet in the pole vault last track and field season and wasn't even the best in the state. In fact, Kloss wasn't even the top vaulter in South Jersey.
No matter how well Kloss jumped over the past two seasons, she always seemed to be overshadowed by former Shawnee standout Danielle O'Reilly, a two-time Meet of Champions winner.
But that won't be the case this spring.
O'Reilly is now at the University of Arkansas and it's Kloss' turn to assume the title as South Jersey's, and maybe even the state's, best vaulter.
"Danielle had her time," Kloss said. "With her gone, it gives me a chance now."
Moorestown coach John Denning agrees.
"This should be her year," he said. "For the past couple years, it has been Jess and Danielle leading the way in the pole vault. But with Danielle not around, the door is open for her."
Last spring, Kloss, who has made a verbal commitment to Princeton University, won Group 3 sectional and state titles and cleared 11 feet to finish second in the Meet of Champions to none other than O'Reilly.
This past indoor season, she competed in several meets at HIP Athletics in Mount Laurel, where she cleared 12-0 a few times.
Since then, Kloss has been working on her speed down the runway and perfecting her turn once in the air.
Denning says if Kloss can improve in these two areas, some big-time clearances will be within reach. "She wants to get a shot at 13-0 and I think if she can get the turn down, she can get it," Denning said.
Although clearing 13-0 would be nice for Kloss, she admits it isn't her main focus. Instead, she wants to vault 12-0 or 12-6 every time out.
"I really want to be more consistent this year," Kloss said. "To do that, I need to improve my technique."
Helping Kloss with her technique is first-year Moorestown assistant Curtis Clarke, who pole vaulted for West Deptford.
"He vaults with us and he really understands where we are coming from," Kloss said.
"I've never had a pole vault coach before, so I think the same person watching and critiquing me will help."
Kloss, who hasn't competed since the winter, will jump for the first time this season Saturday at the West Deptford Relays. In addition to the pole vault, Kloss also does the long jump and triple jump. "It will be interesting because I'm still messing around with poles," Kloss said. "I would like to clear 11 in the first meet. I'm hoping to make a smooth transition from my smaller pole to a bigger one."
And just as Kloss will make the transition from one pole to another throughout the season, she will also make the transition from being the one that's doing the chasing to the one being chased.