Two years ago, the Maine Principals’ Association passed a measure that required the use of helmets while competing in the pole vault. At the time, some coaches complained that the helmet would throw off athletes’ timing and rhythm by adding extra weight.
“There were a lot of coaches against that at the time,” said Lisbon High School track coach Dean Hall. “They complained about balance and about the actual benefits of adding weight to the vaulters.”
After two years, though, the vaulters say that the helmets have made little to no difference in the actual vaulting process.
“I’m originally from New Jersey, and we didn’t wear helmets down there at all,” said Lisbon pole vaulter Justin Cornell. “Here, it was mandatory. Now, if I hit my head on the bar or worse, fall out of the pit and hit my head, at least there is something there to cushion the blow.”
This season also marks the first season during which new nationwide regulations regarding the size of the pit and mat are in effect. The new rules generated by the National Federation of State High School Associations have increased the width and length of the landing area considerably, from 16 feet wide by 18 feet deep to 19 feet, 8 inches wide and 20 feet, 2 inches deep.
“I know that they’ve saved me a couple of times that I normally would have fallen off,” said Lisbon pole vaulter John Vanidestine. “I’m not landing on the ground as much anymore, and that’s mostly because of the length.”
The problem for many schools, mostly those in smaller districts, was the cost of revamping the pit to meet new specifications.
“We were lucky in a sense, because we had been planning for a new pit for years,” said Hall. “We are one of the few schools in our conference that was able to host a pole vaulting competition this season.”
The problem was not limited to the smaller schools, though.
“We had to work out a payment plan with the company to pay over two years,” said Edward Little athletic director Jeff Benson. “It was something that had to be done, and with the number of athletes currently competing in the sport, it really was a no-brainer that it had to be done along with the rest of the complex.”
Edward Little resurfaced and reorganized its track complex adjacent to the school last summer. Lewiston did the same a few years back, and it also made sure the pit was well within compliance.
“Our pit was bigger than it needed to be then,” said Lewiston Athletic Director Paul Amnott. “Now even with the new regulations, it still meets all of the requirements.”
“One thing they probably should have done was allow the new pits to be phased in over two or three years,” added Fraley. “It was hard for schools to comply immediately to the new regulations.”
Increased Involvement
Estimates show that approximately 25,000 high school athletes participate in the pole vault in the United States. According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research based at the University of North Carolina, the rate for injury among high school pole vaulters would be higher than any other sport included in that center’s research. Still, participation in the sport continues to grow.
“This society has become one enthralled with entertainment,” said Fraley. “Track and field is great as far as fitness and values is concerned, but it isn’t necessarily in tune with societal norms. One sport that does do well is the pole vault, though. It’s one of the more popular events.”
While Edward Little has no pole vaulters on the boys’ team, the girls have flourished since the inception of the event at the state meet in 1997. At Lisbon, the state meet next weekend may hinge on Lisbon’s ability to put three different boys over 11 feet, a feat already accomplished this season in several meets.
At a boys’ meet this season, Lewiston placed all three of its vaulters against EL’s zero, giving them several points in a meet it otherwise lost.
Preventing injury
Even with all the new safety regulations, there is still a high risk associated with pole vaulting. In the study to be released this summer, the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research indicates a decrease in the number of catastrophes in the pole vault to two fatalities and one serious injury.
“I think these new mats and the helmets help,” said Dr. Fred Mueller, director of the center. “The biggest thing, though, is that most of the mats are still placed on hard surfaces. Those need to be covered as well. The biggest problem was that kids were bouncing out of the pits, and I think the new rules have addressed that pretty well.”
The other key, according to coaches and experts alike, is qualified coaching. In Maine, coaches are required to pass a course in coaching the pole vault and must attend clinics taught by professional instructors.
“That’s really the biggest thing,” said Hall. “We have a rule that the pole is not allowed to touch the ground. When someone is vaulting, there is always someone there to catch the pole and make sure it doesn’t do any damage.”
“Coaching is the most important part of preventing injuries,” agreed Fraley. “One of the greatest things in the world is the national high school program. To make sure that everyone is safe, there needs to be a public mandate that all coaches attend clinics and that more coaches attend clinics so that there are always enough to go around.”
The rest of the safety concerns, of course, need to be addressed by the students themselves.
“The kids have to understand that the sport is a high-risk sport,” said Fraley. “There will be ‘pilot’ errors, those that are the fault of the vaulter, and the coaches need to be able to correct those, but the athletes also have to be able to make those changes.”
What’s next?
As several districts in Maine and several others across the country scramble to find funds to replace or improve older pits to meet standards, the question is often asked what may be next for one of the most dangerous sports in the country.
“It’s all about education,” said Fraley. “The more everyone knows about the sport, the greater the understanding will be and the fewer injuries will result.”
According to some athletes, nothing much has changed at all, and that may not be such a bad thing.
“I don’t really think anything has changed all that much, really,” said EL vaulter Ally Thomas. “As a vaulter, if you think too much, you lose your concentration, anyway.”
The sport itself is at a crossroads now, like a vaulter at the peak of their jump. After a slow, arcing ride to the height of its popularity, the sport is ready for its swift acceleration over the bar at which expectations have currently been set. If necessary, though, the landing pit has been expanded to prevent any serious fallout.
jpelletier@sunjournal.com
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