Adam Sarafian article (UGA)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://hub.gmnews.com/news/2006/0323/Sports/058.html

Ocean's Sarafian soars to All-American status
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer



Ocean Township's Adam Sarafian is up to his old tricks again, as the sophomore at the University of Georgia recently finished sixth in the pole vault at the NCAADivision I indoor track and field championships to earn All-American status.
Adam Sarafian was looking forward to competing in the NCAA Division I indoor track and field championships because it would give him the opportunity to be at the same venue as college's best.

The former Ocean Township High School star, now at sophomore at the University of Georgian, was overwhelmed when he qualified for the national championships, held March 10-11 in Fayetteville, Ark. It was his first trip of the national championships as a collegian.

"I was really excited [about the NCAA's]," he said. "I've wanted to go to the national meet. Just going to the place is a honor. You get to see the top athletes in college."

Sarafian can now be included in any talk about the country's top college athletes after he earned All-American honors in Fayetteville. He took his place among the best when he finished sixth in the pole vault, matching his personal best, 17 feet, 6 1/2 inches. By finishing sixth, the former Spartan, who still holds the New Jersey High School record at 17-4 3/4, earned collegiate All-American honors for the first time.

"I've never been so happy to be sixth in my life," he said.

Sarafian's goal at the NCAA's was simply to get experience competing at the highest college level for the first time. When he discovered, to his chagrin, that the opening height was 17-0, he wondered just how much experience he would get in Fayetteville.

"When I heard the opening height was 17-0, I was a little scared," he said. "I missed my first jump, but I was able to get over the bar on my second. I had plenty of height [on the first jump], I just came down wrong."

After making the adjustment at 17-0, Sarafian went on to match his personal best 17-6 1/2 on his first attempt, securing a top six finish.

His All-American certificate was further proof that Sarafian shines when the lights are the brightest. He had set his personal best earlier this year at the National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev., that attracted the best college jumpers in the nation. By finishing third there, Sarafian was named the SEC's Men's Field Athlete of the Week and he had gained confidence that he was on an equal level with the best vaulters in the country.

"I really like jumping with the best people," he said. "It's so much fun watching everyone going way over the bar."

Since being the No. 1 high school pole vaulter his senior year at Ocean Township, Sarafian has had to overcome one obstacle after another at Georgia, which made All-American recognition even sweeter.

Sarafian came down with mononucleosis shortly after arriving at Athens. That was followed by a bruised shoulder and a bout with vertigo. Just when he thought he had put all the bad luck behind him, the week before this year's Southeast Conference Indoor Championships, he severely bruised his heel on a landing. At first, he thought he may have broken it, but luck was with him this time. Even though he couldn't practice during the week and in competition, he was limited to just two practice jumps, he still managed to vault 17-0 and finish second at the SEC meet.

The illnesses and injuries certainly made Sarafian's freshman year, a year of adjustment, more challenging than it needed to be. But he persevered and is now vaulting better than ever. Much of that is the result of a different training regiment.

"College is very, very different," he pointed out. "In high school, I concentrated on gymnastics for technique. In college, there's a lot more running and it's helpful."

One of those benefits is that Sarafian is now using a larger pole (16-0) and he has raised his grip from 14-6 to 15-6, which gets him a lot closer to the bar. He has gone from seven strides to eight strides on his run up to the bar.

All these changes have Sarafian excited about the prospects of jumping higher. He believes that 18-0 is not that far away.

"I really think it's there," he said.

The outdoor season is under way, and besides looking to raise his pb, Sarafian has one other goal.

"I've never won a college meet," he noted. "I'd like to win the conference meet."

Sarafian and Georgia begin the outdoor campaign this weekend at the Clemson Invitational in South Carolina.

[polevaulter08nw]

this guy is the coolest! yeah go adam!

[saraf]

this guy is the coolest! yeah go adam!

[polevaulter08nw]

haha, for real man!

[Caseman33]

did any of you guys see his jump ate the sec champioships, the one where he did the twist and flip...crazy

[LancerVaulter07]

Saraf, as a high current NJ HS vaulter, youre an awesome inspiration to have. keep jumpin and good luck this season.

i havent checked in a while but do you have any updated videos on your site?

[saraf]

Saraf, as a high current NJ HS vaulter, youre an awesome inspiration to have. keep jumpin and good luck this season.

i havent checked in a while but do you have any updated videos on your site?

Well I am not too current since i got out 2 years ago but I have updated the site today. I am trying to keep it current