Puma Press: April 2001 Sports

On March 3, PVCC gained a new men's National Junior College Athletic Association national pole vaulting champion. His name is Branden Bennett, and his love for the sport runs deep.

With the training of his PVCC coach Todd Lehman and assistant trainer Nick Hysong, Bennett has transformed into one of the nation's top pole vaulters. He hopes to capture more national championships and even Olympic gold in the future.

Bennett attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix and started track and field during his high school freshman year. At first, Bennett competed in the shot put event. Eventually, Arcada's track coach thought that Bennett might better excel in pole vault. When Bennett tried the sport, he says he loved it.

"I had a natural knack for it," says Bennett Through high school, Bennett excelled in pole vaulting, just as his coached predicted he would. After his senior year, he decided to pole vault for PVCC.

Bennett received his inspiration from pole vaulter and Olympic gold medalist Nick Hysong.

"I felt like I could achieve my dream when he won the gold," says Bennett. "My goal has been the same ever since I was little. I want to go to the Olympics."

None of Bennetís dreams could be achieved, though, without rigorous training. Bennett practices five days per week for two hours each day. Three days he focuses on sprint mechanics, while the other two, he says, he spends practicing the actual pole vaulting.

"Training properly is the most important above all," says Bennett.

Nevertheless, training doesnít eliminate all injuries. According to Bennett, broken ankles, concussions and bruised limbs are some of the risks of pole vaulting. If the correct training practices are applied, though, fewer injuries will occur.

Bennett had to vault 16í7"' to earn his NJCAA title. Through his peersí support and his own dedication, Bennett hopes to accomplish his lifelong dream to receive a gold medal in pole vaulting for the U.S. at the next Summer Olympic Games.

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	Natíl Pole Vault Champ Raan Phelps
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PVCC track star gets high...

about 12 feet to be exact

Imagine feeling as if your body were flying and you were 12 feet straight up in the air. Exciting? Thrilling? Raan Phelps, thinks so. The PVCC sophomore is a pole vaulter on the Pumaís track team.

Phelps began pole vaulting during her sophomore year at Mountain View high school in Mesa. Some of her friends from Wyoming sparked her interest in the sport, and now, at 19, Phelps pole vaults for PVCC Coach Todd Lehman.

Recently, she won the women's title in pole vaulting at the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor National Track Championships in Kansas. Even though that might seem good enough to most individuals, Phelps wants more. She has set her goal for this yearóto win the NJCAA Outdoor Championships, to be held in May.

Phelps trains hard for what she accomplishes. Every Monday through Friday she attends practices lasting two hours where she practices sprint mechanics and jumping.

"There are dangers to pole vaulting," says Phelps. "Once, my brother-in-law broke his wrist while jumping."

Some of the other dangers include black eyes and the risk of being knocked out. Still, Phelps has fun while practicing and competing.

" I think it's fun when I run, jump and get flung up into the air," she says. "The rush is worth it every time."

Phelpís record vault came at the indoor championships when she vaulted 12 feet into the air.

"What's also fun about pole vaulting is the competition and how you get close with your teammates," says Phelps.