Caitlin Schuessler a quick study in pole vault (FL)

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Pine Crest's Caitlin Schuessler a quick study in pole vault

BY FABIAN LYON
flyon@MiamiHerald.com
By the time Caitlin Schuessler broke her leg in gymnastics four years ago, the thrill of launching herself over the uneven parallel bars and the vault after 10 years was already starting to wane.

While growing up in Wisconsin, Schuessler participated in gymnastics and dabbled in soccer, tennis and volleyball, but the Pine Crest senior didn't find her true calling until picking up the pole vault for the first time last season.

Despite the late start in the pole vault, Schuessler will enter the District 14-2A championships at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar on Thursday with the No. 2 height (11-9) in Florida and as a favorite to win the 2A state title on May 2.

''I think everything just worked out for the best,'' Schuessler said. ``I don't really mind that I am done with gymnastics. I tried a lot of things but nothing really worked until I did track. The pole vaulting has been pretty good to me.''

The top four finishers from Thursday's meet qualify for the Region 4-2A championships at Miami Belen Jesuit on April 25.

Schuessler's career-best 11-9 set at the City of Miramar Relays on March 21 is second only to Tampa Gaither's Morgan Scherschel, who went 12-0 a week earlier and ranks No. 24 in the nation by Milesplit.US.

Schuessler also competes in the long jump and in the 400-meter relay, which is rare for a pole vaulter.

Pine Crest coach Kathy Halligan said Schuessler's gymnastics background has provided not only the physical attributes of speed, physical strength, and agility but the daredevil spirit needed to excel in the vault.

''What I have found is a lot of gymnasts have no fear,'' Halligan said. ``They are willing to take that risk and chance. Caitlin has the whole package. She is a great kid and a great competitor. You put that all together and you see why a lot has happened in two years.''

The prospect of Schuessler, who also runs on the 400-meter relay team, competing for a state title seemed improbable after she cleared 7-6 in her pole vault debut and finished eighth at the Westminster Academy Invitational last March.

Undaunted, Schuessler said sprinting down the runway and launching herself in the air as she did so many times in gymnastics sparked a competitive fire to improve.

''I just told myself to go for it,'' Schuessler said. ``It's pretty hard to get upside down and clear the bar but the competition gives you more adrenaline. It makes you push yourself.''

Schuessler cleared 10-0 at the district and regional meets and capped her junior season by tying for fifth with then a new career-best 10-6 at the Class 2A Finals.

After gaining some invaluable insight at the reknowned Bell Athletics vault camp in Jonesboro, Ark., last summer and improving her upper-body strength through state weight lifting competition, Schuessler came into this season confident she could challenge for a state title.

She opened with a 11-7 at the Hallandale High School Invitational, which easily eclipsed the 11-0 that won Episcopal's Katie Hered the state title last year, and has cleared 12 feet in practice.

Schuessler's rapid progression has caught the eye of several college programs, including Florida, which Schuessler admits a preference to. Although the Gators haven't put an offer on the table yet, Schuessler knows a state title would enhance her opportunities considerably.

''I didn't think I would get to this level,'' Schuessler said.