Matt Shuler (SC) seeks title

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sp ... 904041.htm

Shuler seeks title
After top-10 finish at Nationals, White Knoll senior wants state pole vaulting championship
By JIM MCLAURIN
jmclaurin@thestate.com
Matt Shuler is pretty up-front about it. He not only wants the state championship in pole vaulting; he wants the record, too. And beyond.

His top-10 finish at the Nike Indoor Nationals only fueled the fire.

“After I finished last Saturday, the event coordinator who ran the pole vault told me I finished sixth, but when I was hanging around for them to call the pole vault awards, they didn’t call my name,â€Â

[vault3rb0y]

Hes definitely got what it takes. I could tell from just looking at him he had a lot higher to go with his ability, and im not even a coach. 13'6 to 15'7 in a year is remarkable, and only indicates hes not leveling off any time soon. good luck!

[polevaulter08nw]

He has progressed alot from jumping with him in the summer. I know im rooting for him!

[mitchg]

It’s definitely possible to break the record; I went from 15’8 to 16’9 in the span of about 3 months. His recovery is pretty impressive, his hardwork will pay off for him. “Chase Shealy set the state high school record in 2002, with a vault of 16-8.â€Â

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.milesplit.com/article/12901

Interview: White Knoll pole vaulter Matt Shuler

2007-03-23 03:28:51 by John Olson
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Full Name: Matthew O. Shuler
Hobbies: Pole vaulting, training/weight lifting, fishing
Date of birth: March 25, 1989
Academic Interest: Engineering
Brothers/Sisters: 1 brother - Connor
Personal bests: 15'7" (4.76 m) - Nike Indoor Nationals

scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field?
shuler: I started in the eighth grade. My dad influenced me on this decision.

scrunners: What other sports did or do you play?
shuler: Others sports include football and wrestling.

scrunners: What are you looking to achieve this weekend at Coaches Classic?
shuler: I would like to vault at least 16'1" (qualification standard for USA Outdoor). This
will be a good birthday (Sunday) present to myself.

scrunners: As a senior, what are you looking to accomplish this season?
shuler: I would like to accomplish breaking the state high school record.

scrunners: Who helps in making goal setting decisions?
shuler: My dad, Coach (Rusty) Shealy, Chris Steddum, Coach Gambrell, Coach Cagel

scrunners: When do you start to prepare for outdoor?
shuler: There was not a break between outdoor seasons (after last year ended I started
preparing for this year).

scrunners: How do you prepare?
shuler: I prepare with hard work through extensive daily conditioning and strength training and work on my diet.

scrunners: As the season progresses, how will your training change?
shuler: I worked to peak for this year's indoor national meet and now I am back in
training so that I can peak for the Class AAAA Championship and USA Outdoor.

scrunners: Have you ever been injured?
shuler: Yes. I had two stress fractures in my L5 vertebrate and I had to sit out my entire 10th grade track season through December of my junior year. I had to wear a back brace for eight months and could not do any physical training during that time.

scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time and did you include any cross
training?
shuler: I watched the pole vault competition at the 2004 Olympics. I told myself that one day I wanted to be one of those guys. I could not do any training during this timeframe.

scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door for life, school and practice?
shuler: The challenge of accomplishment.

scrunners: Do you want to compete in collegiate track and field? If so, why or why not?
shuler: Yes, because I feel my best jumps are still in front of me and college training will help me attain another level.

scrunners: How do you balance being a student-athlete with other responsibilities?
shuler: Through time managment and disicipline.

scrunners: Explain the atmosphere for you at Nike Indoors and the pole vault
competition? Did you achieve what you wanted at this meet?
shuler: It was awesome and exciting. I had my game face on and I was determined to
leave without any regret. Almost, I really wanted to finish in the top six and receive the All-American recognition. I placed seventh and I found my confidence that I will carry over into other meets. This also motivates me to be in the top six for Nike Outdoor in June.

scrunners: This past weekend, at the Azalea Invitational, was this your first outdoor invitational and what did you think of your performance following this meet?
shuler: No, I jumped 15' at Sandlapper for my first outdoor meet. At Azalea I had to adjust to unfavorable conditions to win. I felt that I made the right adjustments based on the hand that I had been dealt.

scrunners: How have you seen the sport change throughout your time involved?
shuler: In South Carolina vaulters went from jumping high to jumping lower bars over
the last several years and now the vaulters are starting to jump higher.

scrunners: What do you recommend to individuals interested in getting involved?
shuler: Find a good coach that runs clinics all year long.

scrunners: Do you think you would coach the sport the future?
shuler: Maybe, it is too early to tell for sure.

scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
shuler: A coach that can develop a realistic plan for improvement over a period of
time, who has true passion for the sport, who will work with you to maximize your ability, who is patient, and who can motivate you to do your best. I expect a coach to
see my commitment to improve through a disciplined work ethic, see how far I
have come, and the obstacles that I have had to overcome.

Do you have a pre-meet tradition? Please explain.
shuler: Eating oatmeal the morning of a meet, listening to music, and watching the
Neo-Vault videos. This prepares me physically and mentally.

scrunners: Does White Knoll have a tradition?
shuler: For every athlete to give it their all at every meet.

scrunners: What has been your biggest challenge in the sport? Please explain.
shuler: Coming back from an extensive injury. This really tested my will power.

scrunners: Do you have any rivals and how did these develop and pushed you to become a better athlete?
shuler: Me and Trey Blanton (South Aiken, third seed at Coaches Classic) have had a friendly rivalry going on for several years. He and I have practiced together for some time and jumped against each other in many meets.

scrunners: Have you ever met a professional athlete? If so, what did you talk to them about?
shuler: Yes, several professional vaulters (Chris Steddum, Pat Manson, Toby Stevenson - Olympic Sliver medalist, and many more). When they started pole vaulting, what obstacles they have overcome in their career, and what it is like to jump professionally.

scrunners: What would you consider the most prestigious meet you have competed in?
shuler: Nike Indoor Nationals - Because of the level of competition, the best in the nation.

scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
shuler: Improve the perception of track in the U.S. because most people do not
understand the commitment that track athletes have to make to be the best in their event. I would also like to see track get publicized better.

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.thestate.com/preps/story/128729.html

Shuler aims high in California
By JIM McLAURIN - jmclaurin@thestate.com
Matt Shuler is hopping a plane to California on Friday morning, hoping to end his high school career on a high note. Maybe not that high, but at least he wants to go out on top.

“It’ll be my last meet as a high schooler,â€Â