Motley To The Max - An Interview

• 110 Hurdles: 15.28
• 300 Hurdles: 39.27
• 400 Dash: 51.0 (relay split)
• Decathlon:  5125 points
• Class A State 2017: Pole Vault (3^rd), 300 Hurdles (9th)
• Class A State 2016: Pole Vault ( 7^th)

Where were you born and what sports did you play when you were young?

I was born in Staples, MN. I played football, basketball and baseball when I was young. Basketball has helped me with my speed and quickness. This has carried over to help make me better in the pole vault and hurdles. I started pole vaulting and hurdles in middle school.

 What is your height and weight and what position do you play in basketball?

 I am 6'3" and about 165 pounds.  Our positions are not numbered but you could say that I play center/forward/or post.

 Have you had to overcome any obstacles as an athlete?

The most difficult thing that I had to overcome in track was tripping over the second to last hurdle in the 300 hurdle finals at state this past spring. It was disappointing as I was in second place when I fell. I will have to work on the hurdles more in the off season so hopefully this doesn't happen again. I look forward to having a better performance in this event in the 2018 MN State Track & Field Meet.

Who are your coaches and how have they helped you?

Bruce Fuhrman who is the girls head track & field coach and also an assistant basketball coach, motivates me to be the best athlete and teammate that I can be in all my sports.

Coaches Cory Asfeld and Marley Simmons really work with me on my starts, hurdle technique and how to run each race. They've shared their collegiate experiences with me and that has helped me understand how to approach each event.

Ron Beachy introduced me to pole vault and hurdles when I was a 6th grader. I knew he had coached for a long time and he was able to see that I had some ability to do these events. He was an excellent teacher of technique which laid a solid foundation for me.

Soon after those years with Beachy, Marley Simmons helped me with sprinting and hurdling in my 9^th and 10^th grade years.

Tony Spandl, and his son Brock Spandl, who was an all-american decathlete at the University of Minnesota, have been available for me with many events during the season and in the off season. They also got me interested in doing some USA Track and Field Decathlons this summer. They were great at teaching me all of the new events for the decathlon I haven't done before (Javelin, Shot Put, Discus, High Jump and Long Jump) in a matter of days. They helped me win the Minnesota USATF Junior Olympic Decathlon Meet for 17-18 year olds.  They have also been my primary pole vault coaches in recent years.

Do you follow any college or professional athletes?

Believe it or not, I don't follow a lot of sports or professional athletes. I have a lot of other outside interests, including hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. I think this helps keep track & field and basketball more enjoyable for me. I also study a lot of pole vault videos on YouTube, for technique and form.

I would say, if you are interested in pole vault or any event, try it. The first few times on a pole can be scary, but it is fun. When things are not going well, I really encourage them to stick with it as you can always improve. The first height I cleared in a meet in junior high was 5 feet and it's only gotten better from there.

Which teammates help you out the most?

Track and Field is a great team sport for individual competition. Our team is a pretty close knit group and we push each other to get better everyday. We cheer each other on at meets and that makes it a lot of fun. Millie Klefsaas, Scout Stickland and Sam Jennissen our my pole vaulting teammates and we help each other out everyday in practice.

Who is your main competitor?

One of my main competitors in the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles is Reid Pierzinski, from Pequot Lakes.  We always have tough races against each other and I always have to run my best to beat him.

Who among your family and friends have been at your meets and have been great supporters for you?

I would like to thank my family and friends who aren't in track that come out and support me. It is always great to see them there.

What techniques are important to perform well in the pole vault?

Having a consistent run and plant is important. If your steps are a little bit off at the start of your run, they can be way off at the end.

My pole vault warm up is essentially composed of two parts.  First, we do pop up and lock out drills to get the feel of being upside down.  These take place from three to five steps out from the pit.  The second part of our warm up is to do full run ups, however we only plant the pole and ride it into the pit.  At a meet once I am on with my steps and the vault feels good, which may be two or three jumps, I am done with my run throughs. I do this to save energy and good jumps for my competition.

It is important to listen to your coach as they see things you may not feel in your vault. Last thing, small adjustments with your hand placement or foot placement can make a big difference in your jump.

What is important in terms of strength and exercises to obtain it for the pole vault?

I think core strength is important because once you leave the ground you need the body control on your swing to have a successful vault. I do planks, sit-ups and pushups to help me with my core strength.

Photo provided by Max Giza

What are your plans for college?

I am currently undecided on what college I want to attend but would like to major in an engineering field. I do plan on continuing my track and field career in college. I would like to compete in the pole vault, hurdles, or decathlon.

Your best events seem to be the pole vault and hurdles events.  What other track & field events do you do?

I have also been in the 4x400 relay. I did a couple of decathlons this summer with USATF Junior Olympic Program. I won the Minnesota USATF Junior Olympic Meet, with a score of 5125. I need to work on High Jump, Javelin and Discus. Those are events I don't get to compete in during my regular track season. I was fortunate to quickly pick up on the Shot Put and Long Jump.

What other activities are you in at Staples-Motley High School?

I have lettered in band, where I play the baritone saxophone and in choir. I was also recognized locally for MN State High School League ExCEL program. 3.482 GPA

What will you miss about high school athletics?

I will probably miss being with the team and practicing with them. They are great friends and we have a lot of fun together. The season typically goes pretty fast. We keep things light in practice and joke around quite a bit. Also the track parents host a couple of team dinners during the season.