by DoctorBob for DyeStat Florida
The Year of the Vault continued unabated yesterday.
Michael Holloway's 1987 all-time Boys record vault went by the wayside as Evangelical Christian's Drew McMichael competing unattached cleared 17' 2" (5.23m) yesterday at the Jacksonville Athletic Club's Street Vault competition.
The 1A State Champion and Auburn signee cleared 17' 2" on his second attempt to vault him into the record books. Holloway's record had stood for 28 years.
The Jacksonville Street Vault is one of the more intriguing Pole Vault competitions conducted at the Jacksonville Landing by the Jacksonville Athletic Club (JAC - follow them at jaxtrack.com). Over the last year, we've been intrigued by the club's pole vault competitions. We caught up with Eli Sunquist, the club's Director after Drew's record-setting performance.
DyeStat Florida: The Street Vault and Mall Vaults are propelling the opportunity for competition in unique environs. Do you see this as a way to grow the sport?
Eli Sunquist: I absolutely see this as a way to grow the sport, as well as elicit better performances. The environment is one in which the athlete feels like the center of attention (they are) and with music playing, and the crowd into it, it helps make for a much better competitive environment for the athlete. In all of the meets that we host, we always try to cater to the athletes!
Drew had already cleared 16' 6" winning the competition over David Akins who cleared 16' 1" (4.90m) and had one attempt at 17' 2" before his record-setting vault.
DyeStat Florida: After missing the first vault at 17' 2", what were the takeaways in preparation for the 2nd vault, a new all-time best?
Drew McMichael: I came into the meet just to have fun. I hadn't jumped more than a few weeks before this meet. But when I was presented with great conditions and the best atmosphere to vault in I knew it was time to break some records. The first attempt was just a lack of execution. I wasn't about to walk away from another meet without that record, so I went 100%, and it paid off. Thank you, Eli, for the amazing meet!
