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Christopher Nilsen HS record pole vault 18-4.75 - DyeStat

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DyeStat.com   May 22nd 2016, 7:32pm
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Nilsen smashes HS pole vault record with 18-4.75

 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

 

Christopher Nilsen graduates from Park Hill High School today (Sunday, May 22). 

 

He graduated from really good high school pole vaulter to someone who belongs at the Olympic Trials yesterday at the Missouri Class 5 Section 4 meet after smashing the high school national record in the pole vault with 18-4.75. 

 

That broke the record held by Shawn Barber (18-3.25 in 2012), who progressed to world champion three years after breaking the American high school record.

 

Nilsen, who stands 6-5, moved onto what he called a "light post" for his final attempt on Saturday: A Carbon FX 16-5/210 lb, 12.0 flex pole. He held at 16-1 or 16-2 and went about 36 inches over his hands. 

 

As soon as he hit the pit, Nilsen was tackled by his girlfriend and No. 1 supporter, Kelly Vogel, as a crowd cheered near by.

 

It was a big moment and a fortunate one. The bar popped six inches off the standard but landed back on its supports and did not fall.

 

 

 

"It was a very lucky jump," Nilsen said. "I hit it on the way up and on the way down."

 

After making 17-6 and sewing up his state qualifying berth, Nilsen thought about going for a PR height of 18-1. Then he figured it was only a couple of more inches up to national record height, so why not go for it. So he asked to have the bar raised to 18-4. 

 

His first attempt, Nilsen said, was "scary."

 

"I rushed the vault and so I inverted and looked down when I got done with the vault and was right over the box and kind of shifted over and landed on the mat," he said.

 

Nilsen blew through his second attempt and knew at that point that he needed to bring out the big pole, which had only arrived from Gill a few days earlier.

 

"I moved my hold up a finger or two," Nilsen said. "I had to hold my body down during the vault. My coach (Rick Attig) said 'take it slow and you'll make it.'"

 

After the celebration in the pit, meet officials carefully measured the distance to get the mark submitted for record ratifying purposes. After 20 minutes, what they found was that Nilsen had made 18-4.75, not just 18-4.

 

It has been a rapid climb for Nilsen, who cleared 17 feet for the first time last year when he won the Missouri state title. 

 

Nilsen started vaulting with Attig just 18 months ago. He has committed to the University of South Dakota, where he will be coached by two-time Olympian Derek Miles. 

 

"(Miles) told me to be ready for a huge jump at the end of my senior year," Nilsen said. "My vaulting is catching up to where I am physically. We're just taking it day by day. But yesterday I was just looking at 'take the win and get to state.' Now, this is happening."

 

Nilsen has already exceeded his goal high school goal. The next thing to go after would be an Olympic A standard of 18-7. 

 

Although he has only competed on a national stage once -- at the Reno Pole Vault Summit -- Nilsen and his coaches and parents are considering how to proceed after next week's Missouri state championships. 

 

"I don't really like being the center of attention," Nilsen said. "I like to keep my ego down. But (state) is going to be another great experience."



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