Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Miller takes new pole in hope of new height

The Bloomingdale graduate is confident entering a national meet in North Carolina.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 12, 2002

VALRICO -- When Bloomingdale pole vaulter Jonathan Miller attempted to clear 16 feet at last month's Golden South meet in Orlando, it felt all wrong.

The acceleration, the plant, the takeoff, the descent -- everything felt awkward and clumsy as Miller crumpled on the landing pad.

"I thought I was in trouble," Miller said. "I was waiting for my coach to yell at me."

Then the meet's judges began to congratulate him.

Miller's successful 16-foot vault was a personal record and good enough for the gold medal. None of the other vaulters came close.

But 16 feet may not be enough for gold this weekend. Miller travels to Raleigh, N.C., for the Adidas Outdoor Nationals, a meet that serves as the national championship for high school athletes.

Miller and his mother will begin their road trip to Raleigh today with Miller's new carbon pole, which is several inches longer than his old pole. It will take some time to adjust to the new pole, since it bends toward the top. Most high school poles bend at the bottom to assist with planting.

It was a natural transition for a soon-to-be college pole vaulter. Miller will attend the University of South Florida in the fall and has already set his sights on a new height.

"Once I hit 16, I was like, 'Hey, why not try for 18 feet?"' Miller said.

"I'm hoping by the end of my freshman year, I'll be clearing 18."

Bloomingdale coach Kevin Sharpe laughed at Miller's high-reaching ambition, but acknowledged the goal as a possibility.

"I can see him in the 17's during his freshman year, definitely," Sharpe said. "He'll be working on his upper-body strength, and he'll go real far."

Top college pole vaulters typically reach 18 to 19 feet.

At the Outdoor Nationals on Friday and Saturday, Miller hopes to meet or break his personal record. He has consistently cleared 16 feet in practice.

"I'm really nervous," Miller said. "I'm always jittery before a national track meet, but I love the competition."

Tampa Baptist shot put and discus thrower Garrett Johnson, a three-time state champion who will attend Florida State in the fall, will also compete in the meet. Johnson competed last weekend in the Golden West meet in California, where he placed fifth in the shot put and fouled in the discus.

Also competing is Berkeley Prep's Rolf Steier, a five-time state champion who will attend Stanford. Steier will run in the mile and two-mile events.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright