2008 Vaultapalooza
Pole Vault Plant
Warsaw, N.Y.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Website | Contact: Mike Auble

Some Family Picnic!
Imagine a family picnic where family from near and far gathers at your home and instead of the usual horseshoes, bocce or volleyball, a pole vault competition breaks out. That's exactly what you got at the annual Vaultapalooza at the Pole Vault Plant training facility held literally, in Mike Auble's backyard in Warsaw, N.Y.

Mike and his wife Lynn have created a training facility in their backyard complete with a 120' Mondo runway, full mats and first rate standards and poles. Lighting around the runway and pit isn't of the Yankee Stadium quality but it allows vaulters to practice their craft into the early evening or on overcast days. Nevermind the addition onto the garage to accommodate gymnastic rings and bars to practice the inverted moves needed for the sport and weight training equipment to help develop the upper body strength to muscle your way over the bar, just don't try to park the car in there during the winter!

This year's event drew approximately forty high school and collegiate level athletes from Buffalo, Rochester, Ithaca and as far away as New Jersey, to compete, not so much against one another, but against themselves to push for the elusive PR (personal record) or to gauge themselves going into next year's track & field seasons. Parents, friends and curiousity seekers came to a very family friendly environment to watch the competition, chat and enjoy the staple of all picnics, munchies and hot dogs. The event was video recorded so the competitors could immediately review what they might doing wrong or to see for themselves, the PR they just broke.

Mother nature cooperated and provided a warm, sunny day allowing the vaulters the chance to show off their skills to impress the kin folk and friends. With five flights of vaulters, you certainly saw all levels of skill. Mike ran a very tight schedule and kept things moving along, all the while coaching his charges and conversing with other coaches (and the media) about technicque.

The next chance to catch one of the Pole Vault Plant's compettions is this Halloween where all competitors compete in costume. Check it out, it's just like holidays with the family! Visit the Pole Vault Plant web site for more details.

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