Chelsea Johnson is a different breed.
It’s not just about winning for her. It’s about
history and winning in ways that nobody has ever done before.
While a National Championship is satisfying for most athletes,
she is driven by something bigger than a title.
Johnson has her sights set on the collegiate record for the
indoor pole vault this weekend as she leads the women’s team
into the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville,
Ark.
Already the owner of the outdoor record, Johnson sees this
indoor championship as an opportunity to further cement her status
as one of the greatest women’s collegiate pole vaulters of
all time.
“I am just focusing on picturing myself clearing that bar
because I know I can,” Johnson said. “I won’t be
that happy with my performance even if I win but I don’t
break the record.”
The current record of 14-10.25, held by Arizona’s Amy
Linnen, has stood intact since 2002. But Johnson has cleared 15
feet in outdoor competition, showing she is capable of breaking the
indoor mark.
“If she does everything that we know she can do, she will
get the record,” pole vault coach Anthony Curran said.
“As a coach it’s my job to make sure we make the
correct adjustments and that if someone jumps high, she jumps
higher. She’s got the tools, she’s in shape, and
she’s confident.”
Johnson’s main competition will come from Breanna Eveland
of Kansas State, who has actually jumped higher than Johnson so far
indoors this season. Florida State’s Lacy Janson also figures
to be a factor in the competition, though none of the other
vaulters have jumped as high as Johnson outdoors. It seems
Johnson’s biggest competition may come from herself.
“This week I have just been taking it a bit easier and
just trying to get focused mentally,” Johnson said.
“Hopefully I can end my indoor career at UCLA with a really
good jump.”
On the track, senior Dawn Harper will also be competing for a
National Championship in the 60 meter hurdles. The two-time
All-American in the event is currently ranked sixth in the country.
In her only race indoors this season, Harper ran a time of 8.12
seconds. Harper also competed outdoors, easily winning both the 100
and 200 meter events last weekend at the UCLA Invitational.
Junior Kamaiya Warren, meanwhile, will be looking for her first
indoors All-American award in the shot put, having already achieved
the honor outdoors in the discus. She currently holds the ninth
best shot put mark in the nation of 54-8.