Pratt: Vaulting His Way to the Top

[pelle3]

Vaulting His Way to the Top
By Sam Scorup - 7 Feb 2006
Source

You start on the runway with the pole upright, lowering it while gaining speed over the course of your 18 steps. You thrust the pole into a box, pushing off the ground to shift the pole forward. The pole bends, and you swing into a handstand on the pole. The pole recoils and throws you over the bar.

BYU pole vault coach Larry Berryhill said he respected Robbie Pratt's skill in an unconventional, specialized event.

"Most vaulters have to be a little bit crazy," Berryhill said, giving Pratt a backhanded compliment. "Anybody has to [be crazy] to go up 20 feet above cement. Pole vaulters are always doing very challenging things."

The pole vault requires various skills, including technique, strength and mental preparation. Pratt, however, likes to keep things simple as he competes.

"The hardest part of the vault is really the run, so usually I'm thinking about hitting my speed in an optimum place and hitting the box hard. That's really all I think about."

A descendent of famed Latter-day Saint Parley P. Pratt, BYU pole-vaulter Robison Pratt grew up in the colonies of Mexico. His path from Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, to track and field stardom was an unlikely one.

Berryhill, who has coached at BYU since 1985, met Pratt when Robbie was in his youth. He asked Pratt if he knew what the pole vault was. When Pratt said he was unfamiliar with it, Berryhill said Pratt's father, who was an All-American decathlete, should teach him. Berryhill gave Pratt a 10-foot pole, but Pratt didn't receive it until he was in his late teens.

At age 13, Pratt moved to El Paso, Tex. He started vaulting at age 15, after originally competing as a high jumper in high school. He injured his back, and then began his career as a "not very good" pole-vaulter.

However, by the time his back healed, he was a better pole-vaulter than high jumper.

"It was way more fun, so I said 'forget the high jump'-I'm a vaulter now.'"

At the Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev., Pratt cleared the bar at a shade over 18 feet, 8 inches. The mark not only set a school record, but also the Mexican national indoor record, and through the end of January, it is one of the top five heights cleared in the world this year.

Berryhill said Pratt's performance at Reno matched any athletic achievement by a BYU Cougar in a collegiate competition.

"Every coach, basically, that's in the NCAA and every open coach was at this competition," Berryhill said. "What he did was equal to winning the Masters [golf tournament] on the amateur level and beating the pros by five strokes."

Not only does Pratt's last name carry intriguing ties, but his first name comes from former BYU track coach Clarence Robison, who was Pratt's father's track coach at BYU. Clarence Robison's son, Mark Robison, is the current BYU men's track head coach.

His work ethic and focus have elevated Pratt to elite status in the pole vault. He has competed for Mexico in several international meets, ranging from the Pan-American Games to the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Pratt was only 19-years-old and a pre-missionary when he had his first Olympic experience.

Berryhill is sold on Pratt's ability to take home some hardware from the world competitions.

"Robbie has the most potential of any of those kids [I've worked with], including one boy who won the gold medal in 2000," Berryhill said.

Pratt, who also teaches Spanish at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, uses his 6-foot-6 frame to help him reach greater heights in the pole vault.

"Robbie has some advantages," Berryhill said. "There's always an advantage to height. He has good speed. The potential is there, as long as it's developed properly."

The NCAA championships will be held the same day as the World Championships, so Pratt will be able to compete at only one of the meets. The world meet will take place in Russia-the home of the greatest pole-vaulters of the last 50 years, Berryhill said, while adding that a victory in Moscow could give BYU and the LDS Church good publicity on a worldwide level. However, because he recruits athletes and gives track scholarships, Robison will decide where Pratt will compete. Pratt said where he wanted to compete was irrelevant, because he had no say in the decision. He understood the situation and will be loyal to whichever team he will represent.

Even some of the biggest track enthusiasts acknowledge their sport is not the only thing that matters in life. Citing the post-pole vault business successes of previous athletes he has coached, Berryhill's goal is for Pratt to be successful in life far beyond his years of athletic competition.

"My philosophy has always been we'll get the absolute best out of you in pole vault," Berryhill said, "but what's most important is where you are 10 years after you quit pole vaulting. If you're successful in life, this has just been something to get you there."


(For comments, e--mail Sam Scorup at sams@byu.edu)

[pelle3]

On the way up
BYU pole vaulter is showing potential to be a 2008 medal winner - and maybe even a world-record holder

By Martin Renzhofer
The Salt Lake Tribune
Source

Nineteen feet, or 5.7912 meters.

That's the height that separates world-class pole vaulters from the masses. Brigham Young's Robbie Pratt expects that he'll soon soar past that height - and his coaches agree.

"Without question," Pratt's event coach, Larry Berryhill, said, adding that 19 feet, 6 inches, is in reach.

During the Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev., in January, an event that included nearly every important pole vaulter in the United States, it was Pratt who impressed.

"We heard all the same comments," Berryhill said. " 'He's really going to go.' He has the potential to vault very high."

Pratt's coaches aren't the only experts who see his unlimited potential.

"A very, very good vaulter, who has the ability to jump much higher," said Bob Fraley, Fresno State track coach and creator of the Pole Vault Summit. "He's got good speed, he's tall and he's worked a lot.

"What's really important is an athlete's ability to use a large pole, and he can do that."

Actually, Pratt made two 19-foot vaults in Reno. But whether it was a breeze or a tremor, something happened to make the bar fall off its posts.

"We were in the pit celebrating and the bar fell off," Berryhill said with a laugh.

The 26-year-old Pratt, the defending NCAA champion, knows that it is a matter of time. He's already been to the Olympics as a 19-year-old and is looking to 2008 and a medal.

"We've been having good workouts all fall and through the winter," Pratt said. "We think I can be a consistent 19-foot vaulter."

Pratt, who has already cleared 18-8 this year, is solidifying his technique in preparation for the moment. The indoor record, set by Sergi Bubka a decade ago, is 20-2. No one has yet to approach Bubka's consistent marks.

"It really is just a matter of time," Pratt said. "I probably need to get a little faster, a little bit stronger.

"My chances are good, but it is tough to predict the pole vault. There are so many variables."

First, there is a bit more to the pole vault than just running up and jumping. Even the poles differ in flex and strength. The stronger the pole, the more energy it loads.

Bigger poles are difficult to bend, but will for an athlete who is strong enough - and fast enough. It's also about angles.

"Years ago, when Bubka set the world record, the reason was he was the fastest pole vaulter in the world," BYU track coach Mark Robison said. "But you can't just take a sprinter and say hold on."

And this is where Pratt's 6-foot-6 height comes into play. Pratt combines speed, strength and height to create the highest possible angle.

"The kick of the pole kicks you higher," Berryhill said.

Fraley said a vaulter's prime years are between ages 28 and 32.

"Three things determine success," Fraley said, adding that Pratt may well approach 20 feet. "Natural ability, fitness and technique and the mental capacity for the event. Can you handle stress. This is the area where he's really improved. Pratt seems to be much stronger mentally. He's tougher and more aggressive."

Pratt has been getting a kick from pole vaulting since he received his first pole at age 7 from Berryhill, who also coached Pratt's father, Elbert.

"I coached his dad," Berryhill said of the elder Pratt, an All-America decathlete for BYU. "When I start getting grandkids, I'll know it is time to leave."

There is a nuclear family relationship with track at BYU. Pratt's first name is taken from a Robison - Mark's legendary father Clarence.

A pre-teen Pratt began as a high jumper, but an injury directed him toward pole vaulting, thanks in part to his father, a native of Mexico, who is also a coach. It's been a profession that has taken him to various locations throughout the world. Pratt, whose mother Anne is a music teacher, was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Raised in Mexico, Pratt enjoys dual citizenship. He is a three-time Mexican national champion and has been battling Giovanni Lanaro for the country's vaulting record.

Pratt set it earlier at the Pole Vault Summit, but Lanaro recently went higher.

This is big stuff for a country that, excluding race walking, has had only one medalist in track and field.

"He has a great chance of qualifying for the [2008] Olympics," Elbert Pratt said. "If he does and wins a medal, kids throughout Mexico will begin taking up the pole vault."

Life with father the coach was also successful. Pratt's a 10-time national junior record, a Pan-American Junior Champion and was a semifinalist at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

"He's been around it his whole life," Robison said. "Even Bubka's coach spent time with him. It is hard to predict [an Olympic future]. But if he continues to make progress, he very much has a chance."

The sky's the limit.

"Right now, we're where we want to be," Pratt said. "My physical condition and training are slowly coming together."

Right to 19 feet.

Martin Renzhoffer can be reached at martyr@sltrib.com. To write a letter about this or any sports topic, send an e-mail to sportseditor@sltrib.com.



Decade-by-decade pole vault world records

1912 Marc Wright USA 13-feet-2 1/4
1922 Charles Hoff Norway 13-feet-6 1/4
1931 William Graber USA 14-feet-4
1942 C.Warmerdam USA 15-feet-7 3/4
1957 Robert Gutowski USA 15-feet-8 1/4
1963 Brian Sternberg USA 16-feet-4 3/4
1972 Bob Seagren USA 18-feet-5 1/2
1983 Thierry Vigneron France 19-feet-1 1/2
1994 Sergei Bubka Ukraine 20-feet-2

Robbie Pratt file

* The 26-year-old defending NCAA champion has already been to the Olympics as a 19-year-old and is looking to medal in 2008.

* At 6-foot-6, Pratt combines speed, strength and height.

* Born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Pratt was raised in Mexico and has dual citizenship. He is a three-time Mexican national champion.

[uconnvaulta]

this kid has everything working for him. but what i still find to be just ridiculous is that he is 26 freakin years Old!!!!!. seriously now, thats 5 years of experience over the average junior-senior in college. 6'6" is ridiculous as well that man can get on some big sticks he better use is god like genetics to do whatever he can in this sport. if not it will be a waste.

[Mecham]

I dont want to be a pester... Robbie Pratt did take two years off for a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So subtract 2 years


p.s. 1000 posts!!! May not have been the smartest or best posts, but certainly posts at that!

[uconnvaulta]

i know he took time off, im not commenting on that nor does it matter because he is still competing, im just saying damn 26 is ridiculous to still be considered a elegible college athlet. like taking time off whatever good for him, but compare him to the other jumpers in the country at that age, its just because he is college he is getting all this exposure. Mondschien and russel should be getting more cred with what they are doing right now. by the way for both of them is sick

[Mecham]

Sick? Shoot I hate being sick. I hope they both feel better

[jomrus]

Mecham I think I smell post 1002 coming on... Just out of curiosity. Are you Mormon? My pole vault coach is, and I think it's an interesting religion. There's been some pretty dagone good Mormon vaulters over the years, hasn't there? I guess that's all I got. Anyway, Pratt is a monster, and I think he will definitely be ready come March 10. Hopefully I can give him a run for his money.

[Mecham]

Yes, I am Mormon. Thats awesome that your coach is. What is his name? The religion may seem interesting cause it is! Its awesome.

Hmm... you were right about post 1002

[VTechVaulter]

does anyone happen to know if pratt decided to go to NCAA's or not. someone had mentioned to me that he was considering going to worlds instead

[jomrus]

The NCAA championships will be held the same day as the World Championships, so Pratt will be able to compete at only one of the meets. The world meet will take place in Russia-the home of the greatest pole-vaulters of the last 50 years, Berryhill said, while adding that a victory in Moscow could give BYU and the LDS Church good publicity on a worldwide level. However, because he recruits athletes and gives track scholarships, Robison will decide where Pratt will compete. Pratt said where he wanted to compete was irrelevant, because he had no say in the decision.

That's the only evidence I've seen. I think he'd rather get another national title. At least, that's what I'd do. Mecham, my coaches name is Dennis Mitchell. I jump for Akron.

[pelle3]

...I think he'd rather get another national title. At least, that's what I'd do. Mecham, my coaches name is Dennis Mitchell. I jump for Akron.

I:ll give you two reasons he may want to jump at WICs instead of NCAAs:

Prize money (which will likely include immediate sponsorship) and the following quote from the first article above:

Berryhill said Pratt's performance at Reno matched any athletic achievement by a BYU Cougar in a collegiate competition.

"Every coach, basically, that's in the NCAA and every open coach was at this competition," Berryhill said. "What he did was equal to winning the Masters [golf tournament] on the amateur level and beating the pros by five strokes."

If you had a choice, would you take on the Tiger Woods of the world, or compete at the NCAAs (no knock on the NCAAs, as they have been the springboard to many a great success story around the world)?

[jomrus]

I'll be honest. A PR of 5.70 and a consistent 5.60 jumper isn't going to do to much at the world championship. I mean...maybe, but I'd still finish school and my eligibility. Besides, I hope to be pole vaulting for a number of years, so why throw away a chance to win a national championship. However, I see your point though. "Money makes this world go round". Maybe I should say I hope he doesn't go to world's, cause then I wouldn't get to jump against him.