Mark Cufaude Article (WI)

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http://www.gazetteextra.com/statetrack_ ... 060205.asp

Evansville High athlete soars into state track meet

(Published Thursday, June 2, 2005 10:50:49 AM CDT)

By Todd Mishler
Special to the Gazette

EVANSVILLE-Thirty-nine inches doesn't seem like much. But in the pole vault, it might as well be a mile.

That's how much higher Evansville High junior Mark Cufaude has improved his personal best in that event this spring. After clearing 11 feet last year, he soared 14-3 last week to win the title in the Division 2 sectional at Marshall.

The 6-foot, 150-pounder enters the WIAA state track and field meet this weekend at La Crosse trailing only Hartland Arrowhead senior Sal Fadel's qualifying effort of 14-6. Fadel will be competing in the Division 1, making Cufaude the man to beat in Division 2.


Things are looking up for Evansville High's Mark Cufaude, who is one of the favorites in the Division 2 pole vault at the WIAA State Track and Field Meet.
Dan Lassiter/Gazette Staff

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"I was definitely pumped up after that," said Cufaude said of his sectional effort, which came three days after he reached 14 feet in the Bellevile/New Glarus Regional. "It feels neat to be going to state, but I just want to do the best I can."

He has accomplished that almost every week, steadily reaching higher into the stratosphere.

Cufaude cleared 11-6 in the first meet of the year, stayed at 12-6 for a few meets, then soared 12-9 at the Rock Valley Relays before registering a 13-foot vault in an April dual meet.

Ron Thornton, the Blue Devils second-year coach, said that he has simply been sitting back and admiring Cufaude's climb.

"I don't know much about vaulting, so he's earned everything he's gotten," Thornton said. "He's probably the most coachable kid you'll ever come across. You won't find anybody who works harder or stays later.

"His dad has been his best coach,'' Thornton said of Mike Cufaude. "They study tapes and have attended camps. You couldn't ask for any more from an athlete, and that's why it has been so rewarding to watch."

At the sectional meet, Cufaude made two attempts to clear 14-6 and was too tired for a final try that would have put him within striking distance of the Division 2 state record of 15-1.

Thornton said that Cufaude is a mentor to many other vaulters, both boys and girls, so his attitude has been exemplary.

"Mark is a super kid," Thornton said. "He's helped middle-schoolers and underclassmen. And he's worked with one of our girls, who had gone only 7 feet, but now is at 10 feet. He's a great athlete and perfect role model."

Cufaude said that competing in cross country and wrestling has helped build his endurance and strength, two qualities that have benefited him tremendously in the arduous and highly technical event.

"Wrestling has taught me to know where my body is, while cross country teaches you how far you can push yourself," Cufaude said.

His top adversaries at UW-La Crosse's Memorial Stadium will include familiar faces-namely Whitewater High seniors Tyler Reynolds and Eddie Mathews. Reynolds has the second-best qualifying mark of 13-9, while Mathews is one of three performers who have cleared 13-6.

Thornton said the competition won't matter if Cufaude's on the top of his game.

"I believe that our school record of 12-7 changed only three inches during a 12-year span, and this year Mark has gained a foot and a half past that," Thornton said. "He's in a great rhythm right now, so he's confident.

"He's easily one of the top 10 vaulters in the state at any level and is capable of going well over 14 feet on a given day. He's had a lot of those lately."

The humble 17-year-old said he'll know early in the competition whether he'll be a medal and/or title contender.

"I just want to get up there and compete well," Cufaude said.

If warm-ups go well, then everything usually clicks. If I stay focused and the pole works well for me, I can go over 14 feet every time."