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Haeck shifts coaching focus to pole vault
Bobby Haeck stepped down as South Lake track coach to teach pole vaulting at his Clermont-based club.
By Shannon Rose | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted February 1, 2004
When longtime South Lake boys track coach Bobby Haeck decided to give up his head coaching position, he knew it was the best solution to his struggle.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to give the best coaching to both his track team and his pole vaulters.
"If I can't do something 100 percent, then it really isn't worth doing," Haeck said.
It's obvious he made the right choice.
His Pole Vault City Club, based out of the National Training Center in Clermont, is thriving and Central Florida athletes are reaching new heights in the sport.
But as the high school track season approaches, there is one thing that hasn't changed for Haeck -- his lack of time.
"I think I'll be a little more busy," Haeck said of the coming season.
Since pole-vaulting coaches are a rarity and there are no other local clubs devoted entirely to the sport, Haeck's vaulters come from around Central Florida and beyond.
That also means with 10-15 athletes training with Pole Vault City, he has quite a few places to be this high school season as he tries to keep up on all of his students. Many of them will be considered the best in the state.
His club includes three defending state champions, including Leesburg senior Erica White, who won the Class 3A pole vault title last year with a jump of 11 feet. He also is working with Tallahassee Maclay's Lori Bowen, who won the 1A title, and Lake Highland Prep's Casey McGinn, who took the boys 2A title at 14 feet, 6 inches.
Leading up to the high school season, Pole Vault City has provided athletes with the training, competition and experience that most other athletes in traditional sports like basketball, volleyball and baseball receive by playing club ball in the off-season.
"I like to offer a place to let kids compete and hone their skills," Haeck said. "It's been very beneficial to the kids without pole vault coaches [at their high schools.]"
The off-season has been busy for the vaulters. They've worked hard on their technique and competed against some very tough competition.
Haeck took six vaulters to Reno, Nev., in early January for the Pole Vault Summit, which not only included high school competitors but also elite international vaulters. Stacy Dragila, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist, won the women's division, while Derek Miles, who is the No. 1-ranked American, won the men's title.
Bowen (10-8) and Brianna Mulkey (10-4) of Boone High took second place in their respective divisions while Caroline Kennedy won the Girls 8 class (10-3).
Participating in an event like that provides the athletes great competition and generates excitement about their sport, Haeck said.
"It's an excellent way to get them pumped up before the season," he said. "The kids are out there mingling with former Olympic champions."
Pole Vault City just came off a local meet at the National Training Center. He had five girls produce excellent results and boost their confidence. White won the 18-and-under division, clearing 10-9. Her mark was even better than the winner of the women's division who competes for UCF.
Kennedy placed second in the girls division, going 9-9. That would have placed her third overall. Taylor Warden of First Academy and Chelsea Bealert of Oak Ridge each had a personal best of 9-3.
"To see the kids start the season better than the way they finished it is a bonus," Haeck said.
While Pole Vault City will have another meet Feb. 21 at the National Training Center, now is the time where the training shifts to high-school competition.
"Now they get to show off," Haeck said.
And he'll be able to be right there to watch them.
Shannon Rose can be reached at srose@orlandosentinel.com.
) could go with him out to Earl Bell's camp... that was super cool of him. Bobby's also the one who dubbed me 'peepers' (and don't worry, it's PG I promise 
ha ha). So yay for coachie!
i miss working out at the training center with him since i hurt myself