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Grand Haven Beach Vault set for July 11-12
Sunday, June 29, 2008
By Cris Greer
The Grand Rapids Press
Everybody who's anybody in the sport of pole vaulting should be at the seventh annual Grand Haven Beach Vault on July 11-12 at the city beach.

"It's the biggest outdoor pole vault competition in the world," said Dave Emeott, organizer of the event and East Kentwood's track and field coach. "We certainly do feel like it's going to be bigger. We get such a great response.

"We have very few people who come one year and not come back the next year. We're expecting it to grow and have a feeling that there are a lot more people interested; anything over 250 is big."

Despite strong winds during last year's event, nearly 300 competitors from many states participated in the beach vault just several feet from the waters of Lake Michigan.

The person to beat in this year's elite men's category is Mark Hollis, an Olympic hopeful currently ranked fourth in the country.

"He's having a breakthrough year," Emeott said. "And it all started at the Grand Haven Beach Vault last year. We're definitely excited about having Mark Hollis back. He's going to really put on a great show for our fans."

Hollis, who has cleared 18-10 3/4 this year, was the NAIA national pole vault champion in 2006 for Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois.

"He's the guy everyone's talking about right now," Emeott said. "He's really fresh on the scene."

Hollis and a few other Olympic hopefuls are scheduled to be on hand for the event, as well as college and high school competitors.

"Our event is a great opportunity for young kids and people who have done it for years as well. We have from 10- to 80-year-olds here," Emeott said. "We think with the (Olympic) Trials and the Olympics, this could be the beginning of some really good things next year. It's great; professional track and field talent right here in West Michigan."

Rockford's Sarah Birkmeier, who won the Division 1 state pole vaulting championship as a sophomore this spring with a jump of 11-3, is expected to compete, as is Dexter's Becca Pilkerton, who won the Division 2 state championship.

East Kentwood graduate Abby Shanahan also is expected to compete. Shanahan, who won the Division 1 state title two years ago, won the high school girls category last summer in Grand Haven. She currently is on a track scholarship at Kansas State.

Marine City's Joe Wesley, who won the Division 2 state crown the past two years, also is expected to compete.

"The best high school kids will definitely be there," said Emeott, who talked about the Grand Haven Beach Vault blazing a trail for similar events.

"There was one in California when we started eight years ago and I think there are probably six others now, but not as well attended as we are," Emeott said. "I just think how beautiful Grand Haven is and they've had a hard time competing with us.

"I think West Michigan has really been a welcoming place for people from all over the country."

For more information, log on to grandhavenbeachvault.com.

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GH Beach Vault back for 7th year

Wed, Jul 9, 2008

BY NATE THOMPSON
nthompson@grandhaventribune.com

The Grand Haven Beach Vault is entering its seventh year at the City Beach of Grand Haven, and each year, the task at ensuring that the event runs smoothly leaves West Michigan prep track coaches Kevin Patterson and Dave Emeott exhausted.

"We've lost money on it most years, and if we can make any kind of money from it, we usually use (the proceeds) to buy some new sticks for our teams," Patterson said, who coaches at Rockford. "There's so much that goes into it, as far as preperation, and each year we ask ourselves, 'Why are we doing this?'

"But once everything wraps up, you think to yourself, 'You know, this was a lot of fun.'"

Hundreds of athletes who take part in the annual event feel the same about the event spread out over 100 yards on the sand in front of the Bil-Mar Restaurant.


What could add a little extra sparkle to the event this year would be the arrival of women's pole vaulter Erica Bartolina, who recently qualified for the Beijing Summer Olympics as a member of the United States Olympic Track and Field Team. Bartolina, the first female pole vaulter at Texas A&M, clinched a spot by vaulting 14 feet, 11 inches at last weekend's Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.

"She initially said she'd be coming to Grand Haven, but that may change now since she's qualified for the Olympics," Patterson said. "She may have other obligations, but we hope she may be still coming."

If she's unable to attend, there will still be plenty of talent left over, including a pair of males who recently competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team — Jeremy Scott and Mark Hollis. Hollis, a native of Lowell, Ohio, won the men's elite division a year ago at the Beach Vault, clearing 17 feet.

The elite men's division starts Saturday around 1 p.m., Patterson said, with the winner awarded a $500 cash prize, a trophy and other prizes. The same rewards will be presented to the women's elite winner.

"That's a lot of fun for the crowd to see. It's not often you get a chance to see someone clear almost 18 feet."

Patterson said he expects close to 300 athletes ranging in age from 14 to over 70 from across the United States and Canada to participate. Through Wednesday, there was only participant signed up from the Tri-Cities, 27-year-old Grand Haven resident Jeremy Marzka.

The action on the beach gets underway Friday at 10 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m., and continues throughout Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Even outside of the elite divisions, Patterson expects the level of competition to be top notch.

"We'll have a lot of state champions, and likely almost all the division champions from Michigan," he said. "It should be quite the competition."

The event, which was once featured on a brief clip on ESPN's "SportsCenter," is the only event of its kind in Michigan.

"There are one or two other beach vaults in the country, but the next largest one only gets about 60 vaulters," Patterson said. "We're the largest beach vault in the world, and actually the second-largest pole vault event of any kind. There's an indoor event in Reno (Nev.) in January that's larger."

Patterson said spectators and athletes love the resort location of Grand Haven, but the only continuous downside has been the lack of parking.

"If you get here after 10 in the morning, you pretty much got to park in Spring Lake and walk," Patterson joked. "We tell everyone you have to get here early."

Those interested in participating can download at entry form at www.grandhavenbeachvault.com. The cost to enter is $60, which includes a $20 non-refundable application fee. Enteries will also be accepted the morning before the competition begins. The 14-and-under division is the first on the runway Friday, slated for 10 a.m.

Every participant receives a T-shirt, and each non-elite division winner is awarded a medal.

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Get on the stick: Grand Haven Beach Vault this weekend
Thursday, July 10, 2008
By Chad D. Lerch
clerch@muskegonchronicle.com
Nothing brings the masses to the beach like warm weather, cool water and pole vaulting.

Pole vaulting?

Hundreds are expected to watch as one of the largest beach pole vaulting competitions in the world comes to Grand Haven this weekend.

The competition is expected to feature U.S. Olympian Erica Bartolina, who would come here before heading to the Beijing Olympics.

Bartolina, the first female pole vaulter at Texas A&M, qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team by vaulting 14 feet, 11 inches last weekend in Eugene, Ore.

Meanwhile, at least two males who competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team -- Jeremy Scott and Mark Hollis -- are expected to be here as well, organizers said.

Event organizer Kevin Patterson said he's excited about the Grand Haven Beach Vault, partly because of the unique venue -- the Grand Haven City Beach, just south of the state park.

"The pole vault is a unique event in all of sports because you need superb athletic ability and a little bit of a daring mentality," he said. "Plus, you get to fly through the air and get the surreal feeling of doing that."

The event has jumped from 75 competitors in 2001, the event's inaugural year, to nearly 300 last year. Patterson said he expects around 300 jumpers again this year.

They'll arrive in West Michigan from at least 12 states and Canada. He said the Grand Haven event is the largest "beach vault" in the world.

It features competitive divisions for youths, high school, college and adults. A highlight for many is the elite division, which draws some of the nation's most accomplished vaulters.

Patterson, a pole vaulting coach at Rockford High School, said it's a blast to watch young athletes strive for their goals.

The setup will be similar to past years -- event organizers will build modular runways for the athletes' approach to the vaulting pit.

They will use heavy equipment to excavate the sand before putting the elevated runways in place. Laser-guided levels are used to ensure the runways are even and safe, officials said.

The runways are comprised of 8-foot sections that are "put together like a jig-saw puzzle," Patterson said.

He said competitors are ready to jump right into it.

"The kids just love it. I hear so many kids saying it's their favorite meet of the year," Patterson said.

What: Seventh annual Grand Haven Beach Vault.

When: 10 a.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Youngest vaulters go first.

Where: Grand Haven City Beach.

Cost: $60.

On the Net: http://www.grandhavenbeachvault.com

Information: (616) 560-7204.

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Grand Haven pole vault event soars to new heights
Thursday, July 10, 2008
By Jeff Chaney
The Grand Rapids Press
Bethany Hecksel loves to go to the beach and pole vault.

That is why the former Rockford High School and Grand Valley State University pole vaulter has been a mainstay at the Grand Haven Beach Vault.

Hecksel, who won a Division 1 state championship in the pole vault in 2002 for Rockford, has competed in every Grand Haven Beach Vault since it began seven years ago. She will participate in this year's two-day event, which begins Friday morning at Grand Haven City Beach.

"What's not to like about it, having everyone come together to pole vault and then being on the beach," Hecksel said. "Those are my top interests. And when you put them together, it's great."

Hecksel isn't the only one who thinks like that.

Since its beginning in 2002, the Beach Vault has grown from 75 competitors for a one- day event to more than 275 vaulters. It now takes two days and two pits to run the event.

"I can't believe it has gone by this fast, seven years already," Hecksel said. " It's grown so much, we've even been on ESPN."

Rockford pole vault coach and event co-founder Kevin Patterson said he also is a amazed about its growth. He founded the event with Dave Emeott, the boys track coach at East Kentwood High School.

"I never expected it to be this big," Patterson said. "We thought 75 the first year was big and if we got to 100 it would be too big. But then we made adjustments and added a second pit and the thing just exploded.

"Now we have a major sponsor (Nutrilite) and have the West Michigan Sports Commission helping us. And now Grand Haven kind of expects us. Before they said, ' You want to do what, where?' But now they call us if they haven't heard from us."

The Beach Vault begins 10 a.m. Friday with youth and high school jumpers taking part. On Saturday, the masters, high school elite, college and elite jumpers take to the pits at 9 a.m.

Grand Haven City Beach will be packed with talented athletes such as this year's Division 1 state champion, Sarah Birkmeier (Rockford), runner-up Richelle Kimble (Lowell) and Kelly Morrissey (West Catholic).

College jumpers Rachel Duthler (GVSU), Scott Levering (GVSU) and Brandi Hagan (Cornerstone) also will participate.

In elite class, Jeremy Scott (Arkansas), Mark Hollis (Lowell, Ohio) and Chris Hill will compete. Patterson hopes Erica Bartolina (Louisiana), who recently qualified for the U.S. Olympic track and field team, will show up.

The pits and sand are set, and Hecksel, along with Levering, will compete for the seventh time.

"Scott and I have made a pact to do this until we can't do it anymore," Hecksel said. "We'll probably be pushing each other down the pits in our wheelchairs someday."

That was the first time in 4 years i didnt make it sad day but ill be back for the next four you can count on it

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Beach pole vault draws record numbers
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND HAVEN -- If anyone is skeptical about the sport of beach pole vaulting catching on with the public, this year's two-day tournament in Grand Haven should provide enough proof.

Record numbers of entrants, two days of solid weather conditions and a strong field of vaulters made for an exciting Friday and Saturday of competition along Lake Michigan.

A total of 285 entries were signed up for two days, making event organizer Kevin Patterson happy.

"This is the highest total of entrants we've ever had," Patterson said. "We've gotten a major sponsor in Nutralite and we've had more spectators, more personal records and more great weather than we've ever had before this."

Mattix wins boys event

Although the boys 17-18 Division 2 competition got a late start on Friday night, organizers still finished the competition as Codi Mattix (Saranac) leaped 15 feet for the victory.

In other action involving local vaulters, Cedar Springs' Mary Fournier leaped 9-6 to take first in the women masters 30-34 category. Steve Owens, of Holland, was the top male masters 55-59 vaulted in 8-6.

Arkansas resident Jeremy Scott was the open elite male winner with a leap of 18-3, while Kylie Hudson (Terre Haute, Ind.) won the open elite women's (13-9). Diana Noonan, a Grand Valley State standout, took second (12-6).

Other local top finishers included Eric Dean (Lowell), whose jump of 13-6 was good enough for first among college Division 1 vaulters.

Sarah Birkmeier (Rockford) took second in the high school elite women event (11-6), as Dexter resident Rebecca Pilkerton won her second championship in as many days (12-0).

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