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Shealy: It looked very interesting to me and looked like it would be a lot of fun to try.
scrunners: Did anyone else in your family pole vault?
Shealy: My father pole vaulted at Brookland Cayce High School and had the record there for 23 years before I was lucky enough to break it.
scrunners: Do you feel that your father's clinic has helped you and other pole
vaulters?
Shealy: I feel that the clinics my father put on is a great help to me and the other vaulters around the state. Its hard to get good at anything with out a little bit of guidance and coaching.
scrunners: When did you start to pole vault?
Shealy: I started to pole vault in the seventh grade.
scrunners: What other sports have you played?
Shealy: I played baseball for nine years before I started pole vaulting. I also played four years of basketball and one year of soccer.
scrunners: When did you start your indoor season and how many meets did you attend?
Shealy: I started my indoor season in the middle of January and I attended five [indoor] meets.
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scrunners: Do you have a pre meet warmup tradition? If so, what is it?
Shealy: I just try to loosen up good and get my mind focused on what I need to do to jump my best.
scrunners: Who has been the most influential for you during each season?
Shealy: My family and friends. They have always been there to support me.
scrunners: This past indoor season you placed first at the Tech Challenge and
second at the Nike Indoor Championships. How did that feel and how was it to
interact with collegiate athletes at Tech?
Shealy: It felt great and still does feel great. The collegiate guys are real good and I was very happy to be invited to jump with them. They were also very supportive towards me and were there to help me out. The Nike Indoor championship was unbelievable. There were so many awesome guys there jumping, and it was fun to see some of my friends from around the country. I really enjoyed competing with them.
scrunners: How do you see South Carolina pole vaulting and track & field as a whole
growing?
Shealy: I think it is growing fast, especially in the [pole] vault. It is becoming very popular now and I see South Carolina producing many great athletes and pole vaulters in the near future.
scrunners: What is your most memorable event from last [2002] track & field season?
Shealy: My most memorable event from last year was jumping against my friend and rival Mark Johnson from North Myrtle Beach High School. He had been the top vaulter in the state and had won the state meet three years in a row. He is an all around great guy and athlete. It was a blast getting to compete with him for the state title last year.
scrunners: How is the college searching going?
Shealy: I have decided to go to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
scrunners: What does it take for you to prepare for a season [Training]?
Shealy: For me a lot of vault practice, some running and lifting.
scrunners: Who is your favorite athlete?
Shealy: Jeff Hartwig, American Pole Vault Record Holder. Jeff is a friend, and lives and trains in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
scrunners: With outdoor track season getting underway, what goals have you set?
Shealy: I would like to try to jump around 17'10''.
scrunners: Do you plan on competing in collegiate track & field?
Shealy: I really want to compete in college.
scrunners: What other hobbies do you have outside of pole vaulting?
Shealy: Dating and hanging out with my friends.
scrunners: Over the years, have you developed any individual rivals or has Brookland
Cayce developed a team or teams rivals?
Shealy: I think in the pole vault you can have rivals, but at the same time in the pole vault everyone is your friend and at the end of the day win or lose everyone pulls for one another. Just like any other sport you don't want to lose to anyone, and anyone that has a chance to take the lead or win is a rival.
scrunners: What kind of traits do you find important of an athlete towards a coach and
what kind of traits do you find important of a coach from an athlete?
Shealy: I think that a coach wants someone that is a good athlete, who is coachable and has a thirst for the sport. I think that athlete looks for a coach that can take them to the next level in there sport whether it be vaulting, football, or whatever they choose.