2005 College Commitments

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http://www.shelbystar.com/portal/ASP/ar ... p?ID=17447

Victoria Argus (Ashdod, Israel) is the most heralded newcomer on the women’s side, and will compete in the pole vault. Argus is the former Israeli national record holder in the event, and placed fourth at the 2005 Israeli National Championships in the heptathlon.

The field corps is led by Elliot Haynie (Fairburn, Ga. / Creekside HS), who finished second in the Peach State’s state finals in the pole vault and is an accomplished all-around athlete.

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http://www.kokomotribune.com/story.asp?id=8701

Burkholder to vault at Indiana
By BRYAN GASKINS
Tribune sportswriter
Sunday, July 24, 2005


Blayne Burkholder always pictured himself competing in the pole vault for the Purdue track and field team, which is understandable considering his father, Bill, is a former Boilermaker vaulter.

Instead, Blayne Burkholder will head south to compete for Indiana University after recently accepting an offer to join the Hoosier program.

"It was actually a last-minute thing," the recent Western High School graduate said. "I was planning on going to Purdue all along. I ended up going down to IU just for a visit, just to make sure Purdue was where I really wanted to go. Even as I was heading down to IU, I was set on Purdue. I was thinking, unless this is going to be a ton better opportunity, I am going to head to Purdue.

"But IU was awesome," he added. "I met with the coach [Randy Heisler], he was really nice, and it was like a family atmosphere. The campus was nice too. I ended up deciding to head down there."

Burkholder said his dad was supportive of his decision.

"I know he wanted me to end up at Purdue," he said, "but he knew IU was my best decision. He is happy with my decision."

Purdue offered Burkholder a chance to join its program as a walk-on in his freshman season. Indiana offered to pay for his books his freshman season. Both programs offered him the chance to earn more scholarship money later in his career. In the end, Burkholder weighed his options, considered all the factors and decided to replace Old Gold and Black with Cream and Crimson in his wardrobe.

Burkholder said IU has a solid stable of vaulters and he is looking forward to the daily competition in practice. The Hoosiers will return two vaulters from last season, a senior and a sophomore, and will bring in Burkholder and two other freshmen. In addition, former IU vaulters sometimes take part in practice to add to the competition.

Burkholder established himself as one of the better vaulters in the state during his Western career. He advanced to the State Finals following his sophomore, junior and senior seasons and tied for 10th place in the latter two seasons. He owns the Western record with an effort of 15-6.

Western coach Dana Neer credits Burkholder for creating a vaulting tradition in the Panthers' program. Neer is happy to see him receive a chance to continue his career.

"Blayne is a student of the sport and I think for him to be consistently around 15 feet -- in all kinds of weather, in all kinds of pits, on all kinds of runways -- proves he has studied the sport and understands the real specific details of the sport," Neer said. "He has been coachable and I think he will succeed in the college level because I think he'll continue that attitude."

Burkholder also enjoyed success in football and basketball at Western. A defensive ace on the hardwood, he helped the Panthers compile a 56-16 record, two Mid-Indiana Conference championships, two Class 3A sectional titles and a regional title over his three varsity seasons.

Now, he is looking forward to concentrating on just one sport throughout the year.

"That was my main concern," he said. "I haven't been able to concentrate on one sport. It's like I've been rushed from one sport to another, and I just went with it. Now, I'll get the opportunity to do it year round and build on things."

Burkholder is planning to study management.

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http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3610011

Kingsville - Texas A&M University-Kingsville track and field coach Brent Ericksen announced on Monday that McAllen natives Karina Rodriguez and Savannah Martinez, Mercedes native Keshia Cooke, Mission native Vanessa Salinas and Falfurrias' Tracy Gonzales had all committed to join the team for the 2006 season.

Rodriguez, who recently graduated from Nikki Rowe High School, set the school pole vault record and earned team "Most Dedicated" honors her junior and senior seasons. She has a personal best of 9’6â€Â

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http://www.southernblackhillsweeklygrou ... ews753.txt

CSC adds track and field prospects

Western Nebraska's best middle distance runner and two state champions from Wyoming are among the latest athletes to sign letters to intent to attend Chadron State College and compete in track and field for the Eagles, CSC Coach John Reiners said.

Others who recently decided to attend CSC include Matt Hazen of Worland, the Class 3A pole vault winner at the 2005 Wyoming State Meet, and Brittany Weglin of Southeast High School at Yoder, who won the Class 2A shot put at state the past two years.

Hazen cleared 14-6 at the state meet, but said he has been over 15 feet several times in practice. Another vaulter signing with the Eagles is Justin Ratliff of Grand Island Northwest. He placed sixth in Class B at the Nebraska meet this spring and had a best of 14-2 during the season.

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http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20 ... 059145.asp

Keppler going to EMU

8/1/2005

Janice Keppler of Medina has signed a full track and field scholarship with Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference. Keppler becomes the third pole vaulter from Section VI to sign an NCAA Division I scholarship joining Mary Saxer of Lancaster (Notre Dame) and Tiffany Maskulinski of Iroquois (Washington State).
"This finishes the chapter for all three girls who did an unbelievable job for Section VI," said pole vault coach Rick Suhr of Churchville, who trained all three.

Saxer, Maskulinski and Keppler finished 1-2-3 in June at the New York State meet in Cicero.

[DaRuk]

My buddy Scott Finley 16-6 from San Diego signed with Washington. Yea Pac 10!!