UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, March 12, 1997
3B
Vaulters hope to continue tradition
Past members have competed in the Olympics
By Matt Woodruff
Kansas sportswriter
Since 1976, when two former Kansas pole vaulters competed in the Olympic Games in Montreal, excelling in the event has been a Kansas tradition.
This season, a new group of pole vaulters will look to continue the tradition, which includes 22 All Americans since 1970 and three Jay hawk vaulters who have competed in the Olympics.
"That's what we're trying to do," said Marc Romito, who nearly became the 23rd All-American during this year's indoor season, but fell less than five inches short of the NCAA qualifying mark. "That's the place we want to get back to."
When he's not participating in competitions, former Jayhawk Scott Huffman, who placed 13th in the pole vault at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, attends practice in Anschutz Sports Pavilion.
"Scott is unreal, he's more than just an example, he's an inspiration," Romito said. "He works hard and he's a strong Christian, and I am a Christian, so I really look up to him. He's a pretty good pole vaulter, too."
Romito said that another inspiration to the vaulters had been their coach, Rick Attig.
"He has so much knowledge," Romito said. "He understands everything from the psychological aspects to the bio-mechanics, and even how different weather effects us. He knows too much."
Attig is in his 13th year with Kansas and is in charge of the pole vaulters, high jumpers, and multievent athletes.
Attig is nationally known for his work with the pole vaulters and has coached 24 Big Eight Champions, 19 All-Americans and two NCAA record breakers. Former Kansas vaulters and Attig pupils Pat Manson and Huffman are ranked first and third in the U.S. pole vault rankings.
"We've had some really good, hard working groups in the past," Attig said. "We don't quite have what we've had in the past as far as four or five close-knit guys that really push each other. They just aren't forcing each other right now, but I think
"We don't quite have what we've had in the past as far as four or five close-knit guys that really push each other."
Rick Attig
Kansas pole vault coach
that's going to happen."
Attig said that having junior Todd Zubyck, who transferred from York University in Halleyburg, Ontario, back from injuries and the consistent progress of sophomores Jon Colby Miller and Chip Malmstrom could create that kind of competition in practice.
"Todd is a super-hard worker," Attig said. "He tore a tricep back in December and was ready to go, then hurt his hamstring. We'll have to start him out slow. He's been very
Outdoor All-Americans
1970 Jan Johnson, 1st place
1973 Terry Porter, 3rd place
1983 Jeff Buckingham, 4th n
Outstanding Pole Vaulters
Owen Buckley, 6th place
1987 Pat Manson, 3rd place
1988 Craig Branstrom, 6th place
1989 Pat Manson, 2nd place; Cam
Miller, 3rd place
1991 Pat Manson, 3rd place
1996 Mike Evers, 6th place
Indoor All-Americans
1969 Bob Steinhoff, tied for 3rd
place
1970 Jan Johnson, 2nd place
1973 Terry Porter, 1st place
1975 Tad Scales, tied for 5th place
1970 Jeff Buckingham, 2nd place
patient and was making tremendous progress in the early fall. He has set his goals at breaking the Canadian indoor and outdoor record, and I think he's capable of doing that."
Attig said that Miller had made consistent progress in the indoor season and that Malmstrom would benefit from concentrating more on the pole vault during the outdoor season.
The team also will benefit from the return of senior All-American Mike
1982 Jeff Buckingham, 5th place
1983 Jeff Buckingham, 4th place
1986 Chris Bohanan, 3rd place
We Buy, Sell, Trade
Manson, 3rd place
1989 Pat Manson, 2nd place; Cam
Wilson
Humphrey, an place,
1988 Scott, an place;
Patt Manson, 6th place.
Miller, 3rd place
1990 Pat Manson, 2nd place
1991 Pat Manson, 2nd place
1994 John Bazzoni, 5th place
1994 John Bazzoni, 4th place
Olympians
1976-Montreal
Terry Porter, 13th place
Jan Johnson did not place
1996-Atlanta
Scott Huffman 13th place
Evers, who redshirted during the indoor season.
"He and Nathan Prenger have the potential to vault very high," Attig said. "They are both potential 18 foot vaulters, and the pole vault can score them a lot of points in the decathlon, and it can be a strong open event for each of them."
Attig said he was somewhat pleased with the indoor season, but said he expected even more in the outdoor season.
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