pole vault relay in about a week...

[mystpaint]

Hey guys. Let me explain the situation to you.

My school has two really good high school pole vaulters. Our best can clear 13 feet, and probably a little past that. Our second best can do anywhere from 10-12 ft. This may not seem like a lot, but for a division 3 high school, these two guys will get first and second in every single meet.

The problem is, for the pole vaulting relay, three people are needed. They need someone who can clear opening height (which is 8 feet). The only other people that are learning how to pole vault at the moment besides me are a crappy sophmore (who's worse than me) and another freshman who CAN clear opening height. Obviously, I have to prove that I'm better than this guy in barely a week.

If I can make this height, the relay team has basically a 99% chance at winning the relay. To go down in glory with some of the best pole vaulters my school has seen as a freshman... my god. The glory would simply engulf me. I think I'd cry... okay, maybe not, but still. I'm posting this because of the fact that I'm just so pumped about this, and really love pole vaulting even though I'm not that great at it yet.

Sometimes, my problem is that I don't completely overhead plant. I use the lefty style of vaulting, holding the pole to my left with my left hand near the top most of the pole and my right hand below it, jumping off of my right leg. Today I practiced for nearly an hour and a half straight (yes, my elbow felt like it was going to fall off but it was well worth dealing with the soreness because of the progression I made). I know I can beat this guy... but,

does anyone have some, say, tips, or very important things to keep in mind like keeping your leg up or whatever? I'd greatly appreciate it...