TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

You finished second at the MAC Indoor Championships on Feb. 24 with a vault of 12-8.25. How much confidence does that give you as you head into the spring season?
It was awesome to a personal record especially at a meet of that quality. Just the fact that I improved nine inches in one season is pretty spectacular. That gave me a lot of confidence for the outdoor season.

This spring’s team is buoyed by the return of fifth-year senior Jenny Koeppel, the 2004 MAC Cross Country Runner of the Year. How much does having someone as experienced as her rejoining the team help?
It’s definitely a plus having someone of that great quality to come back to the team, especially Jenny who has been to nationals. Jen Jezorski, too, is a beast. That definitely helps the team and helps them realize they can reach their goals.

During your freshman season, you got the chance to compete with Laura Olson, who made the finals of three NCAA Championships in the pole vault. What did getting a season to work with her help you with in your career?
My freshman year, I had a very difficult time. Having her as an assistant coach right now is extremely helpful. She’s very good with getting things across and communicating with the other pole vaulters with what we need to do. She just got out of Division I so she knows what is going on.

How much of an effect is there on you when you move from pole vaulting inside to pole vaulting outside?
Wind is a major factor that needs to be taken into consideration plus rain, snow sleet. Those days you just have to play smart and not go for personal best. The sunshine, though, is a major booster. You have so much more energy when it’s sunny out.

Your pole vaulting coach, Tim Beach, has been an assistant track and field coach for nine years at the collegiate level. How much has he helped you during your three years at UB?
He’s helped me a lot technique-wise. Sometimes, it’s a little hard for him to get stuff across, but that’s where Laura really helps this year.

Coming from South Jefferson High School to UB, was there anything about the competition you faced that changed or surprised you at the Division I level?
Definitely. Coming out of South Jefferson, it was especially hard because it was a smaller school. In indoor we were in section X which had very little competition and we didn’t have an indoor facility. As far as outdoor, it got more competitive because we are Section III. I had a very good coach, Mrs. Storms, we basically got to learn how to pole vault together.

Head coach Vicki Mitchell named you as one of the team captains this season. How much does being named a visible leader on the team mean to you?
It’s definitely awesome to be able to guide the younger girls especially cause all three of the captains can communicate very well. The captains this year have stepped it up from previous years. We have done a lot of things to promote team unity, such as locker names, bracelets and we are going to do tie-die shirts over spring break.

In high school, you were the state runner-up in the 400-meter hurdles as a junior and a senior. What made you decide to focus on the pole vault when you joined UB’s team?
Honestly, I don’t know. I was better at 400 hurdles. I was told when I joined the team that I would do 400 hurdles. But pole vault is something that is fun and I don’t get nervous about. It’s very challenging.

You are majoring in nuclear medical technology and have a GPA of 3.3. How hard is it for you to keep up your studies and to also be an athlete?
It’s difficult but it seems the busier I am the better I do all around. If I’m not busy, I’ll go crazy so it works out.

What has been your favorite moment as a UB athlete?
Probably getting second at the MACs. It was definitely a great feeling because people like to step it up during the season and especially at the MACs it’s fun. Pole vault was on the first day and it was one of the first events so it boosted the rest of the team. A few of the girls came up to me after and said it really pumped them up.

“The 10 Questions With…” feature is compiled by Joe Guistina.