"So You Want to Vault? Better Have a Very Large Mailbox."
If you want to be a state champion pole vaulter, you'll need a few things; nerves of steel, great upper body strength and a comically long mailbox. Pole vaulters are a unique breed. Vault being such a technical sport, it's rare that you see athletes with much crossover into other events. Take USF-Steinbrenner champions Nicole Carroll of Tampa Catholic and Drew McMichael of Evangelical Christian. Carroll won the meet clearing 12 feet and went 13-0 at Jimmy Carnes in January. Carroll is the defending Class 2A state champion. She does't compete in any other events. The same goes for McMichael who is the state's top vaulter at 16-3.25 and cleared 16-1 to win at USF. McMichael is also a defending state champ who you won't find on the track or in a jump pit.
"Pole vault, in my opinion is the most technical sport," McMichael said. "Pole vaulting is not something that can be perfected in a few practices, I'm in my fourth year and my techn...
