Many of
you will know that Jack Snook qualified to go to the English Schools
Championships representing Dorset in the Junior Boys Pole Vault
competition.
In
order to be considered for this he had to achieve a minimum qualifying
standard set by the English Schools Athletic Association. This year the
standard required from him was 2.85m. Despite having 5 weeks or so out
of training in April/early May due to a broken finger sustained playing
rugby, he managed to achieve the qualifying height one week before the
deadlines set by ESAA and Dorset county. In fact he vaulted 2.90m a
further four times that week in different competitions, proving it was
no fluke.
After
their selection deliberations, the Dorset county selectors gave Jack the
opportunity to go to the championships in Sheffield – season’s mission
nearly accomplished.
A nasty
summer cold decided to pay Jack a visit on the Tuesday of the week that
the Dorset team were due to travel – typical, we blame the weather at
Braunton the Sunday previously! A lack-lustre final training session on
the Wednesday did not seem an ideal confidence booster either.
Nonetheless, Jack was delivered on Thursday morning to the team bus at
Kings Park, by this time still coldy but considerably improved.
The
championships take place over 2 days (Friday and Saturday) and the
timetable pixies had contrived to give Jack a start time of 10:00 on the
Friday – one of the first events to take place.
After a
reasonable night’s sleep and a very early start, Jack was delivered to
the athletes’ marshalling area by Trudi about 20 minutes before the
event start time. Jack was a little apprehensive but couldn’t wait to
get started – even his cold didn’t seem to be bothering him too much.
The
athletes were lead in to the arena and they began their final
preparations before starting the competition. Family was installed in
the stands waiting with anticipation as we watched the different
techniques of the athletes during their warm-up.
Opening
height was 2.70m – one athlete was unfortunate enough to ‘no-height’
which was a shame, but Jack was fine. Next height 2.85m the ESAA
standard height. Again Jack cleared. Now the bar was raised to 2.95m a
new PB height. A first time failure was followed by a great clearance by
Jack after some sage advice from Trudi – surely the next height, 3.05m,
was on? Unfortunately Jack failed to clear the next height, but he was
so close.
His final position was 12th
equal. Jack was happy to get a new PB, but a little disappointed to not
break the 3.00m barrier – however, you can’t argue with a PB in a national
championship.
At least he could settle
down and relax watching the rest of the two days competition.
Jack would like to thank his
coaches, Trudi and Dave for all their time, effort and support in helping
him to achieve his goal, and looks forward to working at moving through
the 3.00m barrier. He would also like to thank everyone who sent him their
best wishes for the competition.
