June 1, 2010

Vaulting their way to the top

In 25 years of coaching the pole vault, Cowley College head track and field coach Mark Phillips has coached 49 NJCAA All-Americans, nine national champions and two national record holders including 2010 national indoor champion, Katie Gillmore and 2008 national indoor champion, David Starnes. Phillips is passing on his knowledge of the event during this week’s pole vault clinic held at the Cowley College Track Complex.

The Northwest Missouri State graduate also saw his share of success as a collegiate student-athlete. He was a pole vaulter/sprinter at Cloud  County and Northwest Missouri. At Cloud, Phillips was a Region VI champion and a two-time national qualifier in the pole vault. At Northwest Missouri, he set school and Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association records while winning three conference championships in the pole vault and as a member of a school record and National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national qualifying 4x100-meter relay team. He was a member of the 1982 MIAA conference championship team and qualified for two NCAA Division II national meets in the pole vault.

Phillips and members of the Tiger track and field teams are helping beginners as well as experienced vaulters learn to vault safely and correctly using technique drills and routines. Participants are also being taught proper pole carry, run mechanics, plant timing, take-off and bar clearance. The clinic also has an emphasis on approach, plant and take-off. Pole selection and proper training are also being discussed, while video analysis will be used to help participants learn.

Pictured, front row, from left, Mark Phillips, Val Bland, Shelby Shore, Baylie Wilson, Hannah McComb, Cassy Kendrick, and Katie Gillmore. And back row, from left, Rick Valcin, Chris McGlasson, Patrick Neises, Bryce Wilson, Drew Meyer, Adam Jones, Jacob Potter, Tyler Knight, and Jacob Stasa.