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Names Toby Stevenson 26, Russ Buller 25, Brad Walker 23, Jeremy Scott23, Jim Davis 25, Kurt Hanna 27, others, what decline. All are either 27 or younger!!!!
what do you guys think!!

I totally agree, when I posted the IAAF article I was not implying that I agreed with them. I think that the US vaulters are looking especially strong right now because on top of all of the great jumpers we have in their mid-twenties we have an especially strong group of guys entering college this year. I think we're gonna turn a lot of heads when it comes to the 2004 Olympics and 2005 WC.

NovaVault wrote:I totally agree, when I posted the IAAF article I was not implying that I agreed with them. I think that the US vaulters are looking especially strong right now because on top of all of the great jumpers we have in their mid-twenties we have an especially strong group of guys entering college this year. I think we're gonna turn a lot of heads when it comes to the 2004 Olympics and 2005 WC.

the problem is that none of the young guys consistently step up and make US national teams...they let the old farts hand them their a** year after year at NCs...That being said, I fully expect a changing of the guard this year with my early picks for the OT being Buller, Stevenson, & Scott.

I have to agree, I don't think there is a decline, but simply a switching of the guard. There is a huge amount of talent out there that should continue the strong US vault program as of late. Only time will tell, but the bottom line is once the old guys go someone will fill the void. Our current american record holder didn't reach his prime until his 30's. He was a 17'7 college vaulter. For all we know someone who isn't a big time vaulter at the moment may be a 20 footer in a few years.

achtungpv wrote:I fully expect a changing of the guard this year with my early picks for the OT being Buller, Stevenson, & Scott.

Off subject, but whats scott up to these days, I haven't talked to him in about a year,and I don't know if he still uses his old email.

ANYONE GOT UPDATES ON WALKERS TRAINING. HAVEN"T HEARD MUCH SINCE HE BROKE THAT BONE IN HIS HAND LAST YEAR

Walker will have a big debut in Reno. Jeremy Scott has been training in Jonesboro since the summer.

Does anyone think that it is attitude about altitude?
Do you think that the 20-foot barrier is just so intimidating we have not gotten over the shock?
Do you think that European vaulters have something like maybe better swing techniques?

[color=green][b]We need to try new things, new ideas, we have to go out on a limb, explore!

Oh and to try new poles too!! LOL

I was talking to a WORLD CLASS vaulter just the other day name withheld, about trying out our new poles?
What he said made sense on a comfort level!
HE was going to continue to use his set of poles he has had, even when his manufacturer made improvements he just updated the label, as he did not feel that he wanted to venture out and try something new!
Of course he cannot understand why he is jumping less than 19’6â€Â

People are forgetting that all sports come in waves. the current wave of pole vaulters haven't hit their peak yet, they all have years to go before they reach their full potential. After this next wave retires we will be in the same place with a new wave of vaulters entering the arena with a few years to go before they hit their peak.
So is there a decline?
No way, in fact we are in an up and coming surge.

I've always felt that American men have always been a bit of a psychological disadvantage...everyone looks at 19' as the barrier to beat...but the rest of the world looks at 6 meters (19'8 1/4"). It's seems Americans are more likely to stall out at 5.70-5.80, while Europeans stall out at 5.80-5.90...maybe there's some sort of self-imposed psychological barrier?

Just a thought.

I wouldn't count out the big guys yet. They aren't ready to give it up, and they consistently get the job done when it counts. There will always be a changing of the guard and who knows exactly when it will be and who will step up to the challenge. This is an Olympic year so I suspect there will be some unexpected results this summer, both good and bad. Maybe we should put together a board and place bets like for football games . Winner wins a trip to the Olympics to watch the finals . Of course you can also get there by getting the job done on the runway. You can have more fun too!

I hope you don't think I can sponsor a trip to the Olympics!