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Athlete Interview - Kaitlyn Merritt of Santa Margarita Catholic

Published by
DyeStatCAL.com   Apr 21st 2014, 11:37pm
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Kaitlyn Merritt of Santa Margarita Catholic is the defending CIF State Champion in the Pole Vault and entered this season with the national class records for freshman and sophomore girls.  Last week she added to those accolades, clearing 14-0.75 which exceeds the junior national class record and is the #2 mark in the nation.    

 

So far this season Kaitlyn has won every competition she has entered, including the Eagle Invitational, the South Coast Classic, the Beach Cities Invitational, and the prestigious Arcadia Invitational.  I caught up with Kaitlyn following her record 14-0.75 vault last week.

 

 

Scott Joerger (SJ): Congratulations on your season so far. You cleared the elusive 14 foot barrier last week with a 14-0.75 vault.  How does it feel to finally be over 14 feet?

 

Kaitlyn Merrit (KM): Thank you! It is so exciting to finally be over the 14 foot barrier. I have been trying to jump 14 feet since my 13’8” jump last April, and I must have jumped at it about a dozen times. It is so rewarding knowing that my hard work and all the extra drills I have been doing are paying off, and clearing this bar once gives me confidence for the rest of the season.

 

 

SJ: What sports did you participate in growing up, and how did that lead you to the pole vault? 
  

KM: Early on, just like most little kids, I played a lot of sports. I was on an AYSO soccer team, played basketball, softball, and even tried dancing for a while. When I was four years old, I also started gymnastics classes. By the time I was seven, I decided that I wanted to be on the competitive team for gymnastics, so I chose to focus on gymnastics and quit all my other sports. I did gymnastics for eight years, and it taught me a lot of useful skills that help me so much with pole vault. First of all, and what I believe helps me the most, is that it taught me to trust my body one hundred percent. I learned through trial and error that when I committed to and confidently attempted a series on beam or a new skill on bars, it went a whole lot better than when I doubted my ability and questioned whether I would be able to land. This skill is extremely useful in the pole vault, especially on days where I am not vaulting well. I try to put myself in the mindset of attempting a new trick during my gymnastic days. Gymnastics also helped me to gain the physical level of fitness I need for pole vaulting and the work ethic and body awareness. Although I was burnt out by my eighth year and ready to hang up my grips and move on, I am so thankful for everything gymnastics has done for my pole vault career so far.

 

 

SJ: What are your goals for this track season?  What are your long-term goals in track and field?

 

KM: My goal for this track season is to jump 14’4” and continue to perfect my technique. I am working to be as fast as I can on the track and as strong as I can in the weight room to facilitate my goal. Another just as important goal is to make this track season even more enjoyable than last (which will be hard to do). I absolutely love pole vaulting, and I never want to lose that passion for the sport. I definitely have frustrating periods, but my ultimate goal throughout my whole pole vaulting career is to enjoy it and have a positive attitude throughout its entirety. This being said, I plan to jump in college and beyond. I have dreams of going to the Olympics, but I still feel like this is every little girl’s fairytale. Nonetheless, I will continue to vault through college and beyond with the goal of bettering my jump every day, and if I jump high enough to go to the Olympics, my fairytale will come true. Ultimately, as long as I still love it, I will keep jumping because it makes me happy.

 

 


"The way I look at it, my only responsibility is my attitude and how I approach my practice and training so that I can get the most out of every practice."


 

 

SJ: You have the national freshman and sophomore records, and have now exceeded the junior record. What do you think is the key to your continued progression at this high level?

 

KM: I think the key to the continued progression at this level is attitude. I know my coaches work hard every day to set up a progression and workout plan that will help me to be physically fit and technically sound. The way I look at it, my only responsibility is my attitude and how I approach my practice and training so that I can get the most out of every practice. I trust in my coaches one hundred percent and know their plan to get me to that next level will work if I bring the right attitude and trust the plan. I am blessed with wonderful coaches who I think sometimes trust in my ability more than I do myself. Their support and encouragement as well as expertise help me to progress every year. After working with them for so long, they really know my weaknesses and how to help me fix the intricacies in my vault.

 

 

SJ: Is there anything you are doing differently this year to get you to that next level?

 

KM:  I think every year it gets a lot harder to progress that few more inches, so I know I really need to focus on my weaknesses in order to make that progression. Over the summer, I went to the track almost every day with my teammate, Kate Thomas. We did thousands of pole runs over the course of the summer because that is something we both needed to work on. I was a little frustrated when it did not translate over automatically, but I think the pole runs are starting to pay off now. If nothing else, I am way more confident in my run this season because of the countless pole runs. Now, that my focus is less on my run, I have been working a lot on the top of my jump.  With my coaches help, I have been doing a lot of drills to help me push off the top of the pole. I also weight lifting at a higher intensity with my trainer, Jon Clark. I have been working with him for five years now, and he is really amazing at pushing my limits in the weight room while still remaining safe. His work with me over the summer is something that I believe has also helped me to jump higher this year. I also attended three different pole vault camps over the summer, one with Pat Manson, one with Alen Landers, and the last with my school coach, Mandie Rowell. These camps all helped me gain pearls of wisdom and better my jumping. Finally, I worked a lot on my short run over the summer at Higher Flyer’s which helped me to really focus on my technique.

 

 

SJ: What is a typical training week like for you?Photo Courtesy of Karl Mahl

 

KM:  A typical training week consists of a long, high intensity sprint workout on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesdays are typically vaulting days (unless we have a meet on Thursday). Tuesday is typically long approach days for pole vault, and Wednesday is usually short approaches. I usually work on handoffs sometime either Tuesday or Wednesday for the 4x100, and this year I have been long jumping on some of the Tuesdays as well. Thursday is either meet day or drill day depending on the week. If it is drill day, then we do some pole runs and bar drills and some sprints as well. I weight lift Mondays and Wednesdays after running or vaulting. I also work out once a week with my trainer Jon Clark for a pole vault specific weight training session. More often than not, we have a meet on Saturday, so we have premeet on Friday. This consists of warming up, doing drills, and packing the poles. Saturday is competition day, and Sunday I head up to Huntington Beach to pole vault with my club.

 

 

SJ: Are you considering any post-season meets this summer? If so, which ones?

 

KM: Yes. I would love to try to qualify for Worlds this summer in Eugene, Oregon. I have to qualify at Nationals earlier in July to be eligible to compete in Worlds. I am very excited for the meet and will have some amazing competition. I also might go to New Balance Nationals, but I might not be able to since the date conflicts with my sister’s graduation and my brother coming home.

 

 

SJ: Who has had the most influence on your track and field career so far?

 

KM: I cannot pinpoint one person who has had the most influence because so many people have been so supportive and influential. First of all, my family is absolutely my number one supporters. My mom and dad are at every single meet to cheer me on, and my sister is at most meets despite her insanely busy schedule. My brother, even though he is away at college, is the first person to know what I jump and text me after every competition. I could not be where I am now without their support.  Next, my coaches, Kevin Magula, Mandie Rowell, Sonny Duong, and Gil Garcia, never fail to encourage me and push me to my potential. I believe that God puts people in your life for a reason, and I am so glad he put these four in my life to coach me. As I mentioned before, my trainer, Jon Clark, has had a huge influence on my jumping. His training and undying belief in my ability gives me confidence when I step on the runway. He is an amazing runner himself and inspires me in my performance. Finally, my teammates (not just the pole vaulters) have been such an amazing support unit. Just two weeks ago, the whole entire team came over to the pole vault pit to cheer me on as I attempted 14’1”. They also make practice so much more enjoyable and upbeat.

 

 

SJ: What do you like to do outside of track and field?

 

KM: I am extremely close to my family, and when I am not at track or school, I spend my time with them. I love going on hikes at Laguna with my siblings and best friend. I love anything outdoors: hiking, biking, skiing, and kayaking. I also love playing guitar and singing with my sister. I also enjoy jumping my fence to go shoot my bow and arrow at the park. Basically, I am up for any random adventure.

 

 

SJ: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

 

KM: No. I feel like you know me pretty well now. :)

 

 

Quick Stats:  

  • Nickname:  Katers, Kate, Freshie, Sparky, Kate Dog, KSal, KTiggy, K.K., Kater Bug, Katie
  • Performance you are most proud of: Eagle Invite Freshman Year when I jumped 12’10” to start my season off
  • Last thing you readWaking Up in Heaven by Crystal McVea
  • Favorite Subject in School: Biology 
  • What you'd like to study in college: I am not sure but possibly Public Health or Preventative Health
  • Favorite food: strawberries
  • Favorite movie: “Elf”
  • Favorite music: country (especially Brad Paisley)
  • Pet Peeve: headwinds and gloating

 



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