Green has Tarpon vaulters learning to fly (FL)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/l ... iter=RSHOR

NOTEBOOK: Green has Tarpon vaulters learning to fly`

In the last days leading up to the Region 3A-3 track and field meet at Tarpon Stadium, senior pole vaulter Mike Cantasano looked up at the vault standards hopefully, maybe a little overconfidently.

The bungee stretched across the standards was set at 14 feet, a height that would match the Charlotte school record.

He turned to the slim fellow holding a digital camera, flashed his usual grin and asked, "What would you do if I hit this right now?"

"Since that's my record," the cameraman said, not skipping a beat, "you'd have to put the bar up and make it for real."

Cantasano readied himself for the sprint down the runway, planting the pole and flew up toward the bungee. But he fell short, with his feet kicking the cord out of position.

"That's possibly the ugliest jump I've ever had," Cantasano said sourly.

The cameraman smiled a bit without a hint of satisfaction. "You say that all the time," Jeremy Green said, pushing stop on his camera.

Green has more than a passing interest in how the Charlotte pole vaulters fare today in the regional track meet. He's been mentoring them all season, watching as Cantasano worked his way from a good pole vaulter to a threat to his school record. He's watched as Gina Gravino -- whom he recruited to the event -- went from a novice to competing for a place in the state meet.

Both won district titles last week. And both swear by Green, who all but showed up on the first day of track practice, asking coach Jerry Voss if he could help with the pole vaulters.

"He's a godsend for me -- for all of us," Voss said. "With his technical knowledge, we'd be sinking without him."

Instead, between Cantasano, Gravino, Jesse Brown and Amber Gunderson, the Tarpons have a chance to send four pole vaulters to state. And it's been a while since Charlotte has sent anyone to state in that event.

"I don't think anyone (from Charlotte) has gone to state since I did in '95," Green said.

Green has tried to keep his hand in pole vaulting since he last competed. When he lived in Missouri before coming back to Charlotte County, he offered his services as a pole vault coach to schools up there, but he was turned down because he wasn't a local.

Charlotte's been only too happy to accommodate Green, and the results speak volumes for what he's done.

Cantasano had been topping out at 11 feet last year, after teaching himself to pole vault from watching YouTube videos. But the former Tarpon took the senior's technique apart and rebuilt it piece by piece.

Now, he's approaching Green's mark.

"Of course, there's a level of respect, -- his name's on the wall (of the gym) in the spot I want," Cantasano said. "He teases me that I'll never get his spot, but he wants me to get it as much as I do."

Green has found it all to be very satisfying.

"It's been fun -- I've enjoyed it," Green said. "I was looking for a way to get back into track since I left. They've put in a lot of good work. I'm just happy to be back in the sport."

[Verde]

Didn't expect to find this article here! Thanks for the mention! (I am coach Green). Guess I should visit the boards more often.