Pole-vaulting champ, now COO of South Carolina company

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/ ... 01fd59.txt

Two-time state pole-vaulting champ, now COO of South Carolina company
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 12:11 AM CST
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BY JOHN O'MALLEY
jomalley@nwitimes.com
219.548.4355

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? | KEITH KLINE

While most kids grow up changing their minds about their futures nearly as often as their clothes, Keith Kline's goal was set in stone.

He wanted to become a scholarship athlete at a great university in a good conference.

The 1996 Hobart grad was able to realize his dream, even though things didn't exactly turn out the way he might have hoped.

After winning back-to-back state titles in the pole vault with the Brickies, Kline ended up at the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference.

While competing for the Wildcats, though, Kline suffered a torn left ACL as a redshirt freshman. After a long rehabilitation, he returned to competition, but was never the same.

"It was tough,'' said Kline, who now resides in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and is the Chief Operating Officer and part owner of Haelen Hyperbarics, a network of physicians with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy clinics throughout the U.S. "I continued to compete in college, but in events like the pole vault, high jump and long jump, you have a takeoff leg and that was my injured leg.''

After going 15-3 as a junior in high school and 16-3 as a senior to win state titles, Kline passed the 17-foot barrier at Kentucky.

"Seventeen feet is good, but not good for the SEC, which is really competitive,'' said Kline, who battled back not only physically, but mentally from the injury.

Kline quickly discovered he couldn't compete at the level he desired. While frustrated, he kept competing. But there were plenty of ups and downs.

Even though athletics helped get Kline to and through school, Kline became more academically oriented after his injury. He became a Dean's List student (3.2 GPA) and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

While he didn't get the chance to compete as a professional pole-vaulter, Kline still works out regularly. He even began competing in endurance mountain bike riding trips two years ago.

Kline credits his parents (Barbara and Don) and longtime former Hobart boys track coach, Jim Johnston Sr., for his work ethic and success.

Kline said since Johnston was such an important influence and factor in his life, he's planning to write to the Hobart School Board and request the city names the track at the new high school after the legendary Brickies coach.

Currently, Kline enjoys his job handling the day-to-day operations at Haelen Hyperbarics.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a medical treatment delivering up to 100 percent oxygen to a person within a pressurized environment. The process increases oxygen concentration up to 20 times normal at the cellular level, promoting healing.

Hyperbaric medicine has received a lot of publicity from pro athletes and celebrities.

Kline said NASCAR drivers use it pre-race for mental preparation and alertness as well as post-race recovery.

While with Philadelphia, wide receiver Terrell Owens received Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to help him recover from an injury quicker, allowing him to play in the Super Bowl against New England.

Hyperbaric medicine has helped in the treatment of stroke victims and children with autism.

The Keith Kline file
Earned SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition four semesters at Kentucky.
Played linebacker on Hobart's 1995 state championship team.
Won state titles in the pole vault in 1995 and 1996.

[polevaulter08nw]

Wow, thats good stuff to hear from a vaulter who had unfortunate events happen during his career.