Nike Outdoor and USATF Nationals

[rainbowgirl28]

They may have adjusted it this year. In my opinion, thats a big mistake. With the number of vaulters going to USATF's they are not going to get a big field of vaulters this year.

Maybe they don't want as big of a field as they've had in the past.

[vault3rb0y]

I just think that with it being during USATF now, it might backfire and they might get less competitors than they want.

[Russ]

Coach Peter Slovenski at Bowdoin College asked me to post this information for those of you who will be going the Nike Outdoor Meet.

Coach Slovenski carried on a rather extensive e-mail discussion with the meet officials after the meet. I think that his suggestions are sound.

Here's what Coach Slovenski wrote:

I wanted to write to the high school section on polevaultpower.com to tell people that in 2007 the boys’ pole vault at the Nike Outdoor Nationals was conducted into a head wind all day, even though the runway could have gone the other direction.

Vaulters who plan to attend the Nike outdoor national meet should e-mail the Nike outdoor national web site to request that the pole vault runway go with the wind. I’ve contacted the officials and they: 1) defended the decision to have the vaulters run into the headwind in 2007 because they thought the wind would shift around, and 2) cite a USATF rule that they think prohibits them from changing directions during the day.

I hope the vaulters can let them know that: 1) the meet should start with a tailwind rather than a headwind if possible, and 2) if the wind changes, it can be dangerous enough so that the officials should be willing to shift the runway again between sections of competition.

Thanks,

[Vaultref]

Currently (at the JR National home site) sixteen boys and twelve girls entered.
(there are also seventeen entered the decathlon).

I'm thinking out loud, but those numbers might be just a little smaller than in past years where there wasn't a meet conflict.

[vault3rb0y]

The conflict and the 15'6.75" requirement, opposed to 15'1", makes for a lot less entries. I wouldnt be suprised to see just one flight.

[polevaulter08nw]

i agree but they always let lower local guys in and i know that about 2 or 3 from around here are going to put their info in anyways. i think that they are just bumping it up for show and im thinking also that they will still take peoples money.

[rilegan]

I dont think it will be as big of a problem as you think jason. With the difference in the height requirements for the two meets i dont think them being in the same weekend will have to much of an effect. I feel as if very few people do both meets anyway. As for NON uping the standard to 15'6, im in favor of. It's supposed to be the national championships, they should be trying to attract the highest caliber of jumper possible. Sucks for the kids who wont be able to go because of it (which would have been me last year with a pr of 15'1 going into the meet) but i still think thats how it should be.

[vault3rb0y]

I never said it wasnt a good thing. The only bad thing is the meets being the same weekend. I dont think 50 vaulters should be able to make a national championship on an average year. 30 at most. But being the same weekend, im not sure 25 will show up.