Comments on: College Pole Vaulter Killed When He Misses Pad

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:38:30 +0000

Adding on for the concrete near the landing pad, there should be smaller pads off to the side or atleast grass, or any kind of cushion to lesson the blow from a fall from 8ft all the way up to 20.14ft (6.14m) set by Sergey Bubka in outdoors in 1994, or 20.17 (6.15) set by Sergey in indoors in 1993.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:31:13 +0000

I’d also like to add that I am sorry for your loss and I hope things begin to look up for you and your family Christyn.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:29:24 +0000

The last comment, “Would anyone really care if this event were banished for safety reasons? I mean, since it’s more dangerous, evidently, than boxing?” Yes I would say people would be outragous to the thought and idea of pole vaulting being banned. As a pole vaulter for my high school I would be angry and infuriated if this became law. Not only would the 25,000 people who pole vault be angry, but so would probably about 8 times that amount that enjoy watching pole vault more then any other track event feel the same way. I’m not saying that others don’t care about the racing or the throwing, but for running, poof they’re off, and the race may be close but it’s over so quick. As for throwing I have nothing against it, I have several friends that throw, but for that you are either overweight, or really buff to good at that even. Pole vaulters work pretty hard to sprint every single attempt, and most successful vaulters do this quite a few times for every event such as tournements and championships. And for those out there that want pole vaulting cancelled. You can’t banish pole vaulting! If they take this from us you may as well end boxing, bull riding, strongman competition, cheerleading, rugby, running of the bulls, base jumping, ultra marathons, motocross, horse jumping, skeleton racing (ice racing) which are on the top of the list for most dangerous sports, along with hundreds of other forms of entertainment because if that’s the case, then just go ahead and kill entertainment because it’s not safe. We know it’s not safe, but we do it anyway knowing full well that we may get hurt, you can hurt yourself more then a dozen different ways before you even are over the bar. But we do it anyway because we love it.

By: JumpinJack

JumpinJack — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:51:14 +0000

As an ex high school vaulter and father of a soph. vaulter, I know how much fun it is. But these kinds of tragic accidents let us all know how frail we really are. My thoughts and prayers to all the family. You seem to have a great foundation in your faith. You are a great example!

By: R

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:26:26 +0000

Takes me back to eighth grade in Jr. High. My football coach wanted me to go out for track so I would be in better condition for football season. But it soon became obvious that track wasn’t for me (I was the center on my football team, and I couldn’t run fast at all). So the coach handed me a pole and told me to go over there and teach myself how to pole vault.

Now I realize that this lack of coaching might have had some serious consequences. But fortunately, I couldn’t get off the ground. Being a center on the football team is exactly the wrong body-type for pole vaulting.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:21:53 +0000

The Pole Vaulting Community Nationwide mourns with your family Christyn. As a pole vault mom I worry every day, but I know how much my son loves to vault. Our vault club with be praying for you all.

Eastcoast Pole Vault Mom

By: BurnBrother

BurnBrother — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:47:12 +0000

Christyn - We’re all sorry for your loss.

By: Christyn Hendrick

Christyn Hendrick — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:59:48 +0000

Leon Roach was my brother. He, my dad and other brother all pole-vaulted. It was a passion for all of them and I couldn’t imagine them with out it. Besides the fact that he wasn’t actually “vaulting” at the time, the rope swing exercise was set relatively low. There was nothing wrong with the coaching or the mats. Leon loved his coach and was looking forward to all he could learn this next season. Not only did they have mats but there were 2 people as spotters at the end of the pads. What happened to Leon was not an accident, it was the Lord’s time for him. We all love him and miss him very much, but we know that there are no accidents in life and that the Lord has a plan for all of us. Leon lived every day that he was supposed to and we will remember and cherish every single one. My father and brother will both continue pole-vaulting. We don’t believe this sport is any more dangerous than the car you get in and drive every day. The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, we will live our lives and know that He is God.

Leon loved this sport and had such a strong faith in the Lord and this family will draw on both those things as we remember him and celebrate his life.

By: JohnnyCakes

JohnnyCakes — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:35:20 +0000

I pole vaulted in Jr. High School and in High School for a bit before moving on to events that I was actually good at. I only vaulted 10ft but it was incredibly fun. I’ve done every Track and Field event except the hammer and Pole Vault is the most exciting. I imagine that that’s why people do it. I remember missing the pit multiple times and it was always on to grass. I’m not quite sure why there was concrete right by the pit?

By: CSUF coach

CSUF coach — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:49:20 +0000

the landing pad size has been increasing in size every year. The sports started with a square of saw dust and has now increased into 3 ft. thick, 24′ long, and 20′ wide pads. All Governing bodies have a minimum pad size issued each year. With an entire pole vault pad costing roughly $10k-$20k it would be difficult for most schools if the minimum size pads were always being upgraded.

In this situation- it is hard to say whether sufficient padding was used. I’m sure they have done that drill over and over in practice sessions.

The biggest issue is coaching. This is a very dangerous sport- if you don’t have the proper knowledge on how to coach safely- something like this could happen. Unfortunately, good coaches can’t stop an extremely unlucky situation.