Overweight vaulters and colleges?

[VaulterChick122]

I have seen many high school vaulters, especially girls who are a little overweight. I do not mean fat, i mean strong, fast, but still chubby and could lose 15 or 20 pounds (depending on the person). Many of them can clear heights like 9 or 10 feet, which is a fairly decent height. Myself included in his group (although i am in the process of losing weight), i was wondering if colleges look at this. Say i were to clear 12 ft or even higher by my senior year ( i am a sophomore and am close to clearing 10), but i do not have a "vaulters body" not very skinny, but not fat either, do colleges look at that. I would love to vault in college, but i do not look like a vaulter. Even if i am thin enough i am not very tall, and i know that colleges look at "the potential" of a vaulter. Would someone who has a perfect vaulters body who can clear 11'6" be chosen over someone how i desrcibed before that can clear 12' or 12'6"? I mean i know being in better shape will improve my vault, and i am working on it but i am just curious about how collegiate athletic programs choose athletes.

[botakatobi]

The physique of world class vaulters is historically (not always) tall and thin.

More muscular vaulters with strength and power do appear, despite not having the tall/thin physique.

As a D1 coach years ago, I passed on a female vaulter who could jump high 12's in high school. I thought she as at least 15 pounds heavy and may not lose the weight. She went on to be an excellent combined events and pole vault D1 athlete who could also score both conference and NCAA Championship points.

In summary, if you can leaner, all the better (in my opinion) for vaulting. However, if you are fast and powerful you could be a great college prospect in the vault and other events.

[dj]

hello

2.0 lbs per inch of height has been the "average" of successful vaulters...

for example 5-8 = 68 inches x 2 = 138

dj

[botakatobi]

hello

2.0 lbs per inch of height has been the "average" of successful vaulters...

for example 5-8 = 68 inches x 2 = 138

dj

DJ,

While talking to Mike once, he claimed that he was somewhat over 210 when he still jumped 19'. This seemed a bit much for a 6'2" +- vaulter. What do you remember his best jumping weight?

[rainbowgirl28]

To answer the original question, yes, it is something college coaches will consider. There's a difference between being muscular and fat. Some coaches might take a look at the parents to get an idea of what direction the girl is headed. Plenty of vaulters have large parents, it's not going to make or break a decision for a coach.

Some girls get too fat due to poor lifestyle decisions in college and never improve. A coach has to make their best guess as to whether or not this will happen. If they think an athlete is going to be a big partier, that is a factor that will be considered.

Starving yourself to lose weight is only self-destructive in the end. The best thing you can do is maintain a healthy lifestyle and let your body sort itself out.

[VaulterChick122]

Thanks, trust me starving myself never ever crossed my mind! I do have a healthy lifestyle though, but i still have a year to work on it all, and reach my goals before i am legally allowed to talk to coaches anyway.

[rainbowgirl28]

Thanks, trust me starving myself never ever crossed my mind! I do have a healthy lifestyle though, but i still have a year to work on it all, and reach my goals before i am legally allowed to talk to coaches anyway.

I would try to put up some decent marks in other events like the 100, LJ, or hurdles. If coaches see that you are athletic, it goes a long way, regardless of body shape and size.

[VaulterChick122]

I want to try other events, but my team is so big, the field event people usually can only do one event. However, my relay partner and i are trying to convince our coach to let us try long jump, and high jump.

[dj]

hye

Mike was 6-4 191 at the trials and 6-4/196 at the Games...

he may have jumped 19 at 210.. but 200 and under would have been best for strenght to body mass.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA7Dapjsh9A

i suspect he was at 200, or slightly lower here............

dj

[rainbowgirl28]

I want to try other events, but my team is so big, the field event people usually can only do one event. However, my relay partner and i are trying to convince our coach to let us try long jump, and high jump.

Is there a limit to how many people your team can put in each event during your weekday meets? If so, you need to hop in a JV meet or something where you can do more events. There are always summer all-comers meets and junior olympics as well.