Jason Byrne (flrunners.com): Michael, congratulations on this new personal best (15-9) this past week! Take us through that vault. How did it feel? What grip height were you holding at? And what was your run length?
Michael Vani: It was probably one of the greatest feelings I've ever had in my life. It was also a step closer to where I want to be at the end of the season. My run was pretty good, my plant wasn't the best, my left arm was still a little collapsed and I hit the bar on the way down, but luckily it stayed on. I have a history of getting bouncing bars to stay on. I was holding 14-5 and running from 6 lefts, around 82 feet.
JB: You've taken your game so much further than last year... What is the difference for you this year?
MV: I have a lot more poles to choose from and I have a personal coach, Bobby Haeck. It's been a lot easier to get better with him teaching me and being able to use his variety of poles. It's a privledge and a real honor to be working with the guy who's coached multiple state champions.
JB: What is the biggest thing technically you think you still need to work on?
MV: My plant for sure. My top half is what got me over bars last year, and with the bars getting bigger, the top half can't make a good vault. My plant still hits me in the face and I've been able to snake over bars. If I can get a consistent plant going, I think I can go much higher in the future.
JB: What are your goals between now and the end of the season?
MV: I really want to win the state championship and take a stab at the state record. I told myself last year that since first and second place were graduating, the state title was mine to win. If I win the state championship and the jumping conditions are good, I think I could have a real shot at breaking the state record.
JB: So you feel Riley's state meet record is within reach? What about Holloway's state record?
MV: If I can get a consistant plant and get on bigger poles, I think that Riley's record is certainly attainable. As I was watching him jump (last year), I kept thinking to myself that it was such a big jump and that it would be hard to do, but as I'm getting closer to 16 feet, I think it could be done. Holloway's record will be much harder to do because 17 feet is such a huge bar. If I break the state record (and) get 17 feet, I'll definitely try for it. But I'm taking things one step at a time and hoping things get better and better.
JB: I heard that you were thinking about going to UF and then decided on USF. What lead to your decision?
MV: The decision was really easy once I visited USF. I fell in love with the campus as soon as I got there. It wasn't the first time I went and I have jumped there before and I just love the atmosphere. UF wasn't going to give me any scholarship money unless I jumped 17 feet and with that I'd probably only get books. USF was willing to give me some money knowing I had jumped only 14-6 at the time so I credit Coach Marsh at USF (for taking) the initiative to get me while I was still only jumping 14-6.
JB: What are your biggest fears in pole vaulting?
MV: Sometimes I get scared when I try a new pole that's a bit bigger than anything I've used before. My biggest fears in vaulting is not making a bar that I know I can make. I hate not making bars that I've crushed before and I get scared every time I go over them thinking I'll knock it off. But I credit my top half to be able to easily get over them... most of the time.
JB: Is it expensive to become a national-level pole vaulter? What kind of costs do you have to incur?
MV: It can be expensive when I start blowing through poles. When I get too big for a pole and don't have any more in the series, it can be pretty pricey because I have to buy new poles and they're around $500 a pop. Travel expenses with gas and hotels can be pretty expensive at times, but definitely the most expensive thing are new poles.
JB: What advice would you give to younger pole vaulters who are aspiring to get to the level you're at?
MV: You have to be willing to get knocked on your butt, fall on your head, land in the box, skip out on hanging with your friends, and willing to work. In order to be an elite pole vaulter, your heart must be in it. If you "think" you want to do it, then don't get in too deep. You have to be ready for anything. Pole vaulting can go from great to bad in a heartbeat, so being mentally tough is imperative as well. In shorter terms, make sure you love it and make sure you're ready to be shot down on a minute's notice.
JB: Fun question... Tell us something that you love, but normally are embarrassed to admit? Any closet obsessions you want to reveal to the entire state? Spill it!
MV: I love to read. Anytime I can get my hands on a good book, I bury my face in it and finish reading it within the day if I can. I also love any movie with Will Ferrell and Jim Carrey. I've pretty much memorized every movie they've been in.