Valcin Wins Regional Championship & Looks Ahead to Nationals
In what his coach described as tough
conditions, Rick Valcin emerged from the Region VI / Jayhawk Conference
Championships as the last man standing. After placing second in this meet in
2010 and 2nd at the conference indoor championships in February, his
competitive nature delivered him to the top of the May 5th meet, which he
described as a "dream come true. A reality check."
"In warm ups I felt good. I warmed
up on a pole I have never warmed up on. So that built my confidence some more. The
meet started at 9' so I had a long wait at my opening height of 4.69m my first
attempt I blew through my warm up pole 16' 170, 19.9 flex. My 2nd attempt I
blew the biggest pole I've jumped on this year 16' 180 19.2 flex, I was getting
nervous after my 2nd attempt knowing that I had to move up a pole I had never
vaulted on, which is a 16' 185 18.3 flex. However, I just stayed focused for my
final attempt. When it was my turn I took a deep breath and stepped on the runway
knowing that there was no room for error."
After making his strategic adjustments,
he went on to clear his opening height on his 3rd and final attempt. With a
sense of relief he thought, "I'm ok now. I made my opening height".
He was officially in the meet and could now focus on bigger goals.
"With 5 guys at the next bar at
4.79, everybody missed their 1st & 2nd attempts, I was the last jumper in
the rotation. After seeing my teammates
go out at that height and (realizing) I was the last competitor left, I knew I
had to make that height." Valcin went on to clear that bar, securing the
victory and a regional championship.
However, his day was not finished. "I
passed to 5.06m to set a meet record, school record and personal best. I had a
one good attempt at 5.06."
After hitting that 5.06 bar on the way
down and with a number of jumps well above that height in training this season,
Valcin now has his sights confidently set on the NJCAA Championships in South
Plains, Texas which takes place May 15-17.
Entering the meet ranked in the top 5 in the nation, Valcin feels he is
hitting is peak at that right time of the season to make an impact for his
team.
