Reaching new heights: Kalsey earned chance to vault with best in U.S. Team Trials
Qualifying for the US Olympic Team Trials for Marissa Kalsey basically came down to one final opportunity on June 8 in Ohio.
The Katie Moon Pole Vault Classic held at Olmsted Falls (Ohio) High School was basically a 鈥渓ast chance meet鈥� for those vaulters seeking a berth into the trials.
鈥淗er agent put together a meet in her honor,鈥� Kalsey said of the gold medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 鈥淚t was a full circle moment (for her). A lot of fans came out.鈥�
Kalsey realized she would need to post a stronger mark to assure her a spot on the trials roster.
鈥淚 tried to get a mark the whole outdoor season. I knew 4.38 meters was not going to make it in,鈥� explained Kalsey. 鈥淢ost of the girls ahead of me already had a mark to get into trials.
鈥淲e knew it was the last chance.鈥�
As Kalsey glanced around the stadium during her warmup, she recognized a few of those fans.
鈥淚 was warming up and looked over, my entire family was in the stands wearing 鈥極n Team Kalsey Shirts.鈥� My fiance Dylan鈥檚 family was there. Bradi (Rhoades, her college coach and fellow Waynesburg Central graduate) was there,鈥� said Kalsey. 鈥淢y heart started beating a lot.鈥�
Kalsey said she had to regain focus after acknowledging her fan base.
鈥淚 was trying not to let the pressure get to me. It was the most nervous I鈥檝e ever been,鈥� said Kalsey.
She received calming words from her coach Brooke Rasnick.
鈥淢y coach told me to enjoy the journey. The journey is what matters. Stay along the path,鈥� said Kalsey.
Plus, weighing on Kalsey was she had just missed qualifying for the last 2020 trials.
鈥淭he last trials I just missed by a couple spots and a couple inches,鈥� stated Kalsey.
However, Kalsey said she didn鈥檛 allow the big moment to get to her.
鈥淚 tend to step up in those scenarios. I took comfort that I鈥檝e done this before,鈥� added Kalsey.
Kalsey cleared her opening height of 4.28 meters. She was clean at 4.38 meters.
Kalsey missed the first attempt at 4.48 meters, but cleared the second for her personal-best mark. She started to celebrate on her descent to the mat and sprinted over to hug her coach with the mark that secured a spot into the trials field.
鈥淚 was hugging my coach. We knew that should be safe. It was even safer than we thought,鈥� said Kalsey. 鈥淚 had actually visualized over and over the exact jump of making the trials mark and the celebration with her. She has been so committed and never gave up on me through the struggles, so I鈥檓 thankful she experienced that victory with me!鈥�
Kalsey feels everything fell into place for her after coming up short for the last trials.
鈥淚 just missed by a few spots in 2021. To be able to do it this time with all my people watching me. It was all so special. It all came together at the same time,鈥� said Kalsey.
The simplest way to qualify for the Paris Summer Olympics is a top-3 finish and clearing the Olympic standard of 4.73 meters (15-6). Otherwise, an athlete needs to place in the top three and hope to earn a spot based on world ranking.
Kalsey is currently ranked 53rd on the world list.
The women鈥檚 pole vault preliminary round was last Friday when the field of 24 was pared down to 12. The finals were Sunday with the competition ending when one vaulter remained.
鈥淚 competed in Hayward Field in 2022. The stadium is beautiful. It is a great pit,鈥� recalled Kalsey. 鈥淚 feel I鈥檓 ready to deal with whatever (weather) cards are dealt that day.鈥�
Kalsey moved to Louisville and changed coaches to Rasnick.
鈥淢entally, it鈥檚 been an adjustment. I knew I had to make a change. I had issues getting off the ground. I had to build from square one,鈥� explained Kalsey. 鈥淏rooke and I worked really to build my confidence. I鈥檓 at the most confident point I鈥檝e ever been.鈥�
Kalsey said the signs point to a big performance in Eugene.
鈥淚 do believe there鈥檚 a lot more in the tank. I do believe it鈥檚 there. It鈥檚 time to lay it out on the runway,鈥� said Kalsey. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to go out and compete. I want to clear anything over 4.48 and try to hit the Olympic standard (4.73 meters). I think 4.53 would be a good height to hit.鈥�
Kalsey overcame a serious injury to win the Division III championship. Rhoades reminded her of what she had to do for that moment.
鈥淚 was talking to Brady on the phone when I still had chances (to qualify). I was feeling pressured. I was running out of chances. He told me you鈥檝e done it in the past when you were crunched for time,鈥� Kalsey said of the conversation.
鈥淚 got off the phone and saw a double rainbow. I got chills. I was comforted that things will work out,鈥� continued Kalsey. 鈥淭hen, after I competed (in Ohio), there was a double rainbow. Those are the only two I鈥檝e ever seen.
鈥淚t was a powerful moment.鈥�
鈥淪ome of my biggest, memorable moments come after my most difficult moments. Every time I persevere I come out on the other side.鈥�