Joanna Burkhart article (CA)

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http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/pr ... arfri.html

Tips from high-flying Oceanside pole vaulter help teammates get ready for liftoff

By Gigi Alford
UNION-TRIBUNE COMMUNITY SPORTS WRITER
April 28, 2006

OCEANSIDE – After a long track meet, in which athletes on Oceanside High's small squad often compete in three or four events, don't expect to find the pole vaulters resting in the shade, eating oranges and drinking Gatorade.

Once they finish competing, it's time to practice.


LAURA EMBRY / Union-Tribune
Oceanside senior Joanna Burkhart is the girls section leader in the pole vault with a height of 11 feet, 6 inches. Her goal is to reach 12 feet.
Meets are an opportunity for a few repetitions at a nice facility, with nice poles and nice weather. Unless, of course, the meet is at home and then it's the same uneven runway, old poles and blustery head wind.

Despite the obstacles, Oceanside harbors the San Diego Section leader in the girls pole vault. Through resolution and self-motivation – and the occasional borrowed equipment – senior Joanna Burkhart has cleared 11 feet, 6 inches and is aiming higher still. Her goal is to reach 12 feet before next month's section finals.

Increasing her vault by half a foot is not out of the question for Burkhart. At last year's section finals, she topped her previous best by 8 inches, soaring 10-8. That was a foot short of the state at-large qualifying standard but a confidence booster nonetheless.

THE SPIN
Joanna Burkhart
Oceanside High Track and Field

Hobby: “Making dresses.â€Â