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Myers looks to vault into record books
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Perry Hall senior Shawn Myers won the 4A/3A state title in the pole vault during the indoor season by clearing 14 feet, one inch. — Patrick Smith/For The Examiner
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - When Perry Hall senior Shawn Myers first tried to pole vault his freshman year at the urging of his older brother, Mike, he was far from a natural.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I had never even seen it before,” Myers said. “I didn’t really jump that high.”
But that didn’t stop Myers, who three years later is on the verge of vaulting higher than any boy in state history after quitting running to focus solely on being able to thrust his body over a bar more than 15 feet high.
“I always have to be the best,” Myers said. “I just work hard at it.”
By his sophomore year, Myers was jumping 11 feet, six inches, which was two feet better than what he cleared his freshman year. After adding another foot and a half during his junior year, Myers started working with pole vaulting specialist Bill Athey for 10 hours a week.
It’s paid off. Last month, Myers vaulted 14 feet to win the 4A state indoor title. He has continued to excel this spring during the outdoor season, as he vaulted 14 feet, six inches at the Francis Scott Key Invitational.
But Myers isn’t satisfied. After reaching his first goal of winning a state title, he’s got his sights aimed at eclipsing the state record of 15 feet, one inch, set by Springbrook’s Chris Stark in 1999.
“A lot of pole vaulters have trouble on a pole that’s weighted just for their body weight,” Perry Hall coach Kirk Mateer said. “He’s vaulting on poles that are 40 to 50 pounds above his body weight.”
Myers also has made sure to help his teammates reach their potential, knowing the Gators will need plenty of scorers if they’re to contend for their first title since at next month’s state meet. He has helped Mateer critique some of the younger vaulters and given them advice on how to improve their jumps.
“It’s great because you actually get to learn from somebody with experience,” sophomore vaulter Joe Sutphin said. “We’ll mess up and we’ll be upset, and he’ll just show us what’s wrong and he’ll show us how to correct it.”
Myers’ biggest obstacle from clearing the seven inches separating him from the state record is his mechanics. It’s integral for vaulters to be able to thrust themselves over the bar upon reaching the apex of their jumps. Myers has spent considerable time working on gymnastics rings to become more acrobatic in the air.
“I really want to break it this spring,” Myers said. “I think I can add that foot.”
avitelli@baltimoreexaminer.com
