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I've been vaulting for two years now, with a PR of 3m95. I'm considering doing a masters program at one of the Universities in the USA, but want to continue on improving in pole vault. The pole vault technique that I have been taught is the "Petrov technique". Which university coaches (for females) would you consider to be the best and why? Taking into consideration my personal record what is the likelihood of getting a sponsorship for a masters program?

Thanks!

The US coach who most closely follows the Petrov technique is David Butler at Rice University. He often travels to Formia to work with Petrov.

You need to find out if you even have any eligibility, the time you spent at University in your country will most likely count against you for determining eligibility.

Are you finishing school in 2011 and considering a US college in 2011-2012?

If you have already graduated this year, you're going to have a tougher time getting any sort of scholarship, most of the money has already been committed at this point.

Thanks for the response.

When you say eligibility, what are you exactly referring to? I have American citizenship.

I have actually graduated and if possible would like to start now in August...I realize it is very late to apply and getting a scholarship at this point is unlikely, but it can't hurt to try.

Any opinion on the coach and training program at UCLA? There is a masters program there that I am interested in.

born2fly wrote:Thanks for the response.

When you say eligibility, what are you exactly referring to? I have American citizenship.

I have actually graduated and if possible would like to start now in August...I realize it is very late to apply and getting a scholarship at this point is unlikely, but it can't hurt to try.

Any opinion on the coach and training program at UCLA? There is a masters program there that I am interested in.

To compete in college, you have to get certified by the NCAA. For Division I, once you enroll full-time in college/university, you have a 5 year clock that starts ticking, even if you were not in school the whole time. Within that 5 years, you get 4 seasons of competition. If your university had a track team and you competed for them, that counts. If you started school more than 5 years ago, you may have eligibility in the NCAA Division I or II. You would not have eligibility in the NAIA, because under their rules once you have graduated, you can only compete for the school you graduated from.

You are awfully late to be applying for programs starting this fall, but it may be possible. You need to pick the schools you are interested in, begin the application process, and talk to the coaches. The coaches can refer you to their compliance department to see if you are eligible.

It is not likely you would be able to get any financial aid on such short notice. But being an American citizen will make things easier for you, I don't think you'll have to take the TOEFL or anything like that.

The program at UCLA is very good, I don't think it is the exact same style as Petrov though. It would be difficult for you to find a program in the US that is very similar, but there are many good coaches.

Hi
I worked with an athlete from France who is trying to get into a masters program in the US and get some sponsorship help. At the division one level you would not be eligible to compete if too much time has elapsed between your high school graduation date and the start of your college enrollment. This does not apply to division 2 or 3 schools. I believe it is four years but I am not sure. You will need to check with the compliance officer at that university.
Anthony Curran at UCLA is a fine coach and has produced many exceptional athletes. I do not believe he follows the Petrov model to the letter bet there are probably many similarities. Also check out Pat Licari at Washington.

Good Luck.......hope this helps