By Susana Zialcita
Daily Bruin Contributor
An injury took pole vaulter Yoo Kim out of the competition at
the 2002 Reno Pole Vault Summit, but teammate Pat Luke and
women’s team member Karen Bewly each set a personal record at
the meet.
“Yoo strained his hamstring,” pole vault coach
Anthony Curran said. “It doesn’t look too serious, but
I told him he should not jump in the meet. It wasn’t going to
get better. He was disappointed because he was really fired up to
jump in front of and against his family and friends, but he
understands the importance of nationals, the importance of
qualifying for nationals. He’s going to take it easy and come
back strong in two weeks.”
Over 800 athletes participated in the competition on Friday and
Saturday, and the event was held indoors.
“The meet was out of control, outrageous,” Curran
said. “There were nine runways running across each other on
football field size area. There were 20 to 30 people on every
runway, and they were going from eight in the morning to 11 at
night.”
A typical meet has 12 to 15 competitors and lasts for three
hours.
“It was like being at Woodstock,” Curran said.
“There was a lot of hype, a big crowd. There weren’t as
many spectators; there were more parents and athletes walking
around.”
The men’s team’s weekend was highlighted by
Luke’s personal record of 16’2″.
“He had an exceptional meet,” Curran said. “On
almost every run, he jumped over ever bar the first
time.”
Clyde Bell jumped 16’3″ and Joey Snee jumped
15’9″.
On the women’s side, Karen Bewley set an indoor personal
record at 12’3″.
Heather Sickler, Gail Larsen and Jamie Koler each jumped
11’9″ in the collegiate competition, and Tracy
O’Hara jumped 13’5″ in the elite competition.
“Tracy had a great meet. She was blowing through poles,
jumping really aggressively,” Curran said. “I am really
happy will all the girls. They all jumped good bars.”