October is the month that reminds you of home and what you college kids have left behind. As you venture to your new world as a college freshman, you will soon realize the essence of what you have learned from your parents and coaches of the past. October is the month of hard training and putting in the work that will pay off in the spring. This is pole vault and what you live for, this is October. Stay focused and before you know it, you will be jumping in your first fall/winter meet.
The man of the hour is Rusty Shealy on the cover for October 2019. Vaulter Magazine and the pole vault world both have known Rusty for quite a few years. Not only was he Sandi Morris’s high school and club coach, but he also has the most state champions out of any pole vault coach known to the sport. “Prior to starting as a coach in 1998, Rusty had minimal pole vault experience, but when local Columbia, South Carolina vaulters needed guidance, he stepped up to the challenge for them.” A fun read and a real down to earth story of a man on a mission. Good job!
Until you’re a master’s athlete and you can learn a new craft at a young age (62 years), you will never know the true journey of John Clark. As John would title this article, “A life-changing experience”. October 2017 was the date that forever changed John and his outlook towards life. “Besides going to work at a job I detested, I wasn’t doing much else other than sitting on the couch every night, staring at the TV, self-medicating with unhealthy amounts of alcohol, only to get up in the morning and do it all over again.” We are glad that the sport has started a new venture for John and we’re thankful daily that he finds the time to keep us informed on the life of a Master’s athlete.
Tokyo is calling and soon we will reach the 2020 Olympics and see the venue that so many athletes aspire to pole vault in. As Tokyo prepares and builds a massive stadium at a cost that could easily feed the world, we are reminded of the scope of this four-year process. “Construction of the new National Stadium has continued despite numerous roadblocks, including budget constraints that significantly altered architect Zaha Hadid’s original design.” There have been setbacks just like all of the past stadium builds, but somehow, they manage to make it all work. Great read for sure!
Next month we will have a surprise and show the community what we are thankful for. Stay Tuned.
