Savage Wins Golden South Invitational

May 19, 2013

Emily Savage took her vaulting ability on the road as she travelled to the Golden South Invitational in Florida. The scorching temperatures did not stop the Weston High School Senior as she cleared 12-6" to win the event. Earlier in the season Savage won the prestigious Penn Relays and in the process set both a Penn Relays and a Connecticut State Pole Vault record.

Golden South Meet Page

Golden South Finals

1 Savage, Emily Hudson Valle 13-01.50 12-06.00 3.81m

2 Sergeant, Erica Thin Air Vault Club 12-08.00 12-00.00 3.65m

3 Kistemaker, Jennifer 727 Youth Tr 12-00.00 J12-00.00 3.65m

4 Fowlie, Julia Charlotte HS 11-00.00 11-00.00 3.35m

5 Schafers, Summer Unattached 11-09.00 J11-00.00 3.35m

6 Vandervelde, Nikki Episcopal Sc 11-04.00 J11-00.00 3.35m

7 Rice, Frances Jacksonville 10-08.00 10-06.00 3.20m

7 Brenner, Jamie Thin Air Vault Club 10-06.00 10-06.00 3.20m

7 Smith, Britainey New Tampa Wildcats 11-00.00 10-06.00 3.20m

10 Kistemaker, Rachel Indian Rocks Chr 10-06.00 J10-06.00 3.20m

11 Dierkes, Haley Thin Air Vault Club 10-07.00 10-00.00 3.04m

A few weeks ago we Milesplitct contacted Emily to learn more about our new State Record Holder.

What is your times / Distances

My best height in the vault is 13'1.5". I also do other events to help the team like high jump (5'), long (17'2"), triple (35'11"), 100m sprint (12.8), and this season, I started doing the 100m hurdles (16.6).

Tell us how your training is going so far.

I try to work hard and stay focus in every part of my training, whether it be the weight training, sprint workouts, or actually vaulting.

What are your goals for the season?

The goal is to keep up with my training and push myself to this season's limit.

How long have you been competing in Track and Field and how did you get started?

I have been competing the vault for 3 indoor and 4 outdoor seasons. The head coach at my school really wanted me to try it out but I was unsure, being a gymnast holding a 13 year career. However, one day during my freshman year, I saw one of the senior girls (Emily Ando) fly over a bungee during an indoor practice. I thought it would be fun to try and hoping it would help me improve my training for gymnastics. Instead, I ended up loving the sport and finally retired from gymnastics a couple months after my first outdoor season.

What is your favorite event?

That would definitely be the pole vault because you get three attempts after every height you make, and it's so exciting to watch and do before a crowd.

What is your favorite track memory?

I believe one of the best memories I've had from track was when I first cleared 12' at the New Balance Games earlier this indoor season. It was my third attempt of 12'2" and I felt the 2,000+ people crowd watching me. The whole day I convinced myself that I would clear 12' which would set a PR and a CT state record. I was so focused and I worked so hard up to that point. Clearing that height was one of the most stressful yet relieving moments of my life so far, and that drive and desire just makes me fall for the sport even more.

Is there an athlete that you find inspirational?

I could say that I'm inspired by an Olympian or an American record holder, but most of this motivation comes from the kids that I train with. I go to a club called, The Flying Circus, and the coach, Tim St Lawrence, puts me into the guys session. These guys jump over 15'-16', and seeing how hard they train while also having a good time inspires me the most because they've taught me that if you don't treat the sport too seriously and just enjoy it, you can still succeed. I really look up to those guys.

When not training what is your favorite thing to do?

I like to rock climb, hike, and stay active with friends. But when I'm too sore for that, I like to stay home and eat, too.

What are you future plans?

I just want to continue vaulting for as long as I possibly can. Hopefully, I will still be jumping after I finish my 4 years at the University of Oklahoma.