By BOB LEDDY (TAFWA)
R.I. Track & Field Foundation
3 Jan. – – Alex Guertin, a Smithfield High junior, was one of about a dozen prep-level student/athletes who gathered at the PCTA on Sunday afternoon. The aim was to learn and practice the mechanics of one of track’s more demanding and rewarding field events: the pole vault.
Sunday’s clinic, the first of many over the course of the 2016 indoor season, is being conducted by the M-F Athletic Pole Vault Club, and those taking the athletes through their paces represented the pinnacle of that event’s knowledge. The purpose of the club, according to its mission statement, is “to provide low-cost quality pole vault coaching.’’
The coaching group was led by Bill Falk, whose association with track and field – as coach and clinician – has spanned more than a half-century, and includes former collegiate pole vault record-holder Mark Strawderman and his sons, Steve and James (both of whom have been competitive vaulters.) The newly-formed club is being held under the aegis of M-F Athletics, the track and field equipment organization, and USAT&F sanctioning.
By all observations, the kids were soaking up every bit of instruction given them.
“It’s very beneficial,’’ said Guertin, whose outdoor pole P-R is 8 feet (2.44 meters), and a member of the Sentinel girls’ team. “They [coaches] pinpoint what you’re doing right, and what you’re doing wrong. It makes you feel completely confident,’’ she said. “They care about your performance.’’
“The goal [of the club] is to teach them how to pole vault, from the ground up, and the right fundamentals’’ said Coach Falk. “This brings them along gradually, with no pressure. We can take them at a pace we want, step by step.’’
Regardless of their past competitive experience, the young vaulters were clearly eager to learn from the 88 year-old Coach Falk. “I just want to get more practice for outdoors,’’ said Nate Shimkus, a junior from Chariho High, whose personal-best vault to date has been 10-6 (3.20).
The athletes on Sunday were divided into two groups; one under the tutelage of Coach Falk, the other under the eyes of Mark and Steve Strawderman. Coach Falk focused on foot placement and runway form, while the Strawdermans concentrated on carrying and planting the pole. On the approach run, athletes were taught to concentrate on the last two steps before planting the pole. “I believe the last two [steps] of the approach are the most important,’’ Coach Falk has noted. “By then, the plant has started, so the vaulter’s lower body must coordinate with his arms to produce power.’’ As the clinics progress, Mark Strawderman said, the crossbar will be added to the training.
Katie Braymam, a sophomore at North Kingstown High, was on hand Sunday. She, too, is honing her form in preparation for the outdoor campaign. “The major thing is pushing the pole,’’ Brayman said. “I’m always thinking about it.’’
“These [kind of] clubs are growing,’’ said Coach Falk. “[Track] coaches don’t always have time for the pole vault. And for years there was no [pole vault] facility indoors.’’
“The pole vault is my favorite event,’’ said Smithfield’s Guertin, who runs relays, races from 300 to 600 meters along with the long and high-jump events. “There’s no better feeling than getting over that bar. I’ve never felt I wanted anything more than clearing that pole vault.’’
Said Coach Falk: “We live the pole vault night and day.’’
For more information on the M-F Pole Vault Club, contact Mark Strawderman at mark.strawderman@mfathletic.com.
The Pole Vault Club indoor schedule
(All sessions held at the PCTA track, Providence.)
Wed. 6 Jan.- 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sun. 10 Jan.- Noon-2
Wed. 13 Jan.- 5:30-7:30
Sun. 17 Jan. – Noon-2
Wed. 20 Jan. – 5:30-7:30
Sun. 24 Jan. – Noon-2
Sun. 31 Jan. – Noon-2
Wed. 3 Feb. – 5:30-7:30
Sun. 7 Feb. – Noon-2
Wed. 10 Feb. – 5:30-7:30
Sun. 14 Feb. – Noon-2