Dan Allen Article (NJ)

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http://www.njherald.com/6982354258715.php

HS Indoor Track: Dan Allen has his sights set on new heights
Thursday, December 15, 2005

Photo by Claire Sheprow/NJH Pope John's Dan Allen has his sights set on new heights this winter.

By ANDREW GOODMAN
Herald Sports Writer
Trying to get an athlete to become a pole vaulter is not an easy sell.
It's a sport that requires participants to run with a pole, and use it to propel themselves over a bar more than 10 feet high.
But Dan Allen was sold.
When the Pope John senior first got to high school, he knew nothing about the sport. Three years later, he has a passion for it.
"Freshman year I had no idea what pole vault was," he said. "I gave it a shot and sophomore year I just got hooked."
Pole vaulters are generally some of the best athletes.
The event requires speed and a great deal of athleticism. The most important quality of a pole vaulter, however, is to not have a fear of heights.
"Pole vaulters typically are the best athletes," Pope John coach Brian Corcoran said. "But you gotta be a little nuts."
Allen may fit into that category.
After overcoming a fear of heights, he enjoys the feeling of propelling himself into the air.
At last season's Group 2 Meet, the 5-foot-8 Allen placed seventh with a height of 11 feet. One of his goals this season is to improve upon that and win the individual title.
He spends a significant amount of time practicing the pole vault.
But since Corcoran's expertise in pole vault only goes so far, Allen goes to a special pole vault school in Warwick, N.Y. twice a week. The school's name is Flying Circus, where Allen is taught by Tim St. Lawrence â€â€