Kalsey ties for 11th at USATF Outdoor Nationals
Marissa Kalsey (right) takes a break with fellow vaulters Jill Marois (left) and Sophie Guttermuth before competing in the pole vault Friday at the USATF Outdoor National Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Marissa Kalsey (left) poses with coach Mark Hollis (center) and training partner Jill Marois before the pole vault competition Friday at the USATF Outdoor National Championship at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Waynesburg鈥檚 Marissa Kalsey was close to clearing the second height, but had to settle for one successful attempt at the initial height in the pole vault Friday in the USATF Outdoor National Championships at historic Hayward Field.
Kalsey needed two attempts to clear the opening height of 4.35 meters (14-3录), and came up short in all three vaults at 4.50 meters (14-9) to finished tied in 11th place with High Point University鈥檚 Sydney Horn.
鈥淚 was pretty close on my first attempt (at 4.35 meters). I just had to make some adjustments with my run. There was a pretty good tailwind and I had to move back,鈥� explained Kalsey, adding, 鈥淚 made a good second jump. I got some bar love.
鈥淚 was glad to get it on my second attempt.鈥�
Sandi Morris finished first with a top vault of 4.82 meters (15-9戮).
Kalsey said she鈥檚 not used to starting at the opening height of the national championship.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a pretty high opening height. I don鈥檛 normally come in there. I typically come in at 4.10 meters (13-5),鈥� said Kalsey, a 2012 Waynesburg Central graduate. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a pretty big difference.
鈥淚 took my warmups. I鈥檓 used to more jumps before that height. I usually have three or four heights in.鈥�
Kalsey would鈥檝e established a new personal best had she cleared 4.50 meters on one of her three vaults.
鈥淢y PR is 4.42 meters (14-7),鈥� said Kalsey.
Kalsey said she nearly cleared 4.50 meters on her second attempt.
鈥淭he second attempt was the closest. It was a close call,鈥� said Kalsey. 鈥淚f I would鈥檝e going in line with my pole a little more, my hips would鈥檝e made it over.
鈥淢y arms hit (the bar). That鈥檚 how I normally miss.鈥�
Kalsey continued, adding, 鈥淢y trajectory, I鈥檓 trying to get all the way upside down, and get my feet up and over the bar and have my face looking back at the track.鈥�
Kalsey competed in her second outdoor national meet.
鈥淭he pressure is something. You have to bring yourself to a place down at a (calm) level. It鈥檚 a big stadium and the biggest competition of the year,鈥� said Kalsey. 鈥淚 felt nerves big time. Clearing that first height was a big relief.鈥�
Kalsey鈥檚 summer of vaulting will continue into early August as she looks forward to keeping her dream alive for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She works with three coaches in Knoxville: Jeff Coover (lifting/running), Mark Hollis (vault), and Phil Savage (gymnastics)
鈥淭hey鈥檙e all official meets, USATF sanctioned meets,鈥� said Kalsey. 鈥淭hey have an exciting atmosphere. I鈥檓 looking forward to that.鈥�
Kalsey, a Westminster graduate, uses her elementary education degree as an at-home tutor and substitute teacher. She is also in the market for sponsors to help with the fees associated with her quest to become one of the country鈥檚 best female vaulters.