Prior to Saturday’s Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee
Invitational, UCLA coach Art Venegas promised “a meet with a
little more flash.”
Sophomore Yoo Kim delivered.
Pole vaulting his way to a personal record of 17 feet 8 1/2
inches that qualified him for the NCAA regionals, Kim wowed the
crowed as he also attempted to eclipse the Korean national
record.
“I knew it was in me and I think that made all the
difference,” Kim said. “It’s really true what
they say, “˜If the mind believes, the body can
achieve.'”
Shattering his previous record of 17-4 1/4, Kim’s vault
moved him into seventh place on the all-time UCLA charts.
But Kim’s performance wasn’t unexpected despite his
mediocre results during indoor season. Kim and his coaches felt
like the potential for these results was there, but it just needed
to be realized.
“I knew something big was coming, and everything just fell
into place,” UCLA pole vaulting coach Anthony Curran said.
“He’s been having great practices the past couple of
weeks, and it came together here.”
“He needs to remain confident,” Venegas added.
“That’s what’s important for him so he can make
these vaults when it counts.”
Now, with an early qualification for regionals in the outdoor
season, Kim can focus on his goal of breaking the 18-foot barrier
and earning himself a spot on the Korean Olympic team.
Although the Korean record is an attainable 18-1 1/4,
Kim’s focus remains on the remainder of the Bruins’
outdoor season.
“I want to focus one step at a time,” Yoo said.
“First I need to break 18 feet, but I also need to
concentrate on regionals and possibly nationals before I can go
after the Korean record. That’s the step I need to make
first.”
As Saturday’s pole vault competition continued with
Kim’s dominance over the rest of the field, the crowd grew
with every attempt he made.
With every successful attempt, the audience became more hopeful
as it realized the significance of what it was seeing.
But after three unsuccessful attempts at 18 feet, Kim still
received plaudits for his accomplishments.
“I still feel great,” Kim said. “You
can’t have a double personal record and not feel absolutely
great. You have to know it was still good.”
After being forced to redshirt last season due to a serious
hamstring injury, Kim tries to remain healthy in order to regain
the momentum he had after a successful freshman season in 2001.
If Kim manages to qualify for the Korean Olympic team, his
experience on the Junior National Team in 2000 will come in handy.
But he still remains focused.
“The Olym-pics would be great, but it’s step by
step,” he said. “I still have a long time before
that.”
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
Kim’s personal-record vault might gain a half inch this
week. The Athletic Department is currently waiting to hear back
from Saturday’s judge, who will rule if Kim’s vault was
actually 17-8.5 or 17-9.