Saylor vaults to new heights at Otterbein
COSHOCTON – Chris Saylor’s focus on the little things helped him put together a great sophomore season of pole vaulting for Otterbein University’s track and field team.
“I had a lot of first places during the outdoors’ season and I think it was because something just clicked better with my form,” he said. “I also grew as an individual this year and listened to the coach and bought into the system. I fixed a little bit at a time rather than focusing on jumping higher heights.”
Saylor, a 2012 Ridgewood High School graduate, is going into his junior year at Otterbein.
“This year went really well, better than I expected it would,” he said. “I started the year around 14 feet and ended up around 15′ 9″ which was an improvement of 14 inches from this year to last year.”
Saylor said his first year of college track and field was a bit of a learning curve.
“There was a conversion from the standard system to the metric system, but once you got the hang of it, it wasn’t too hard to pick up,” he said. “The actual competitions weren’t that much different though. Some of the meets were a little bigger and had a better atmosphere than in high school, but they were still similar and relaxed. This year it was nice to have last year under my belt so I knew what to expect and how to warm up. I also bonded with my teammates because we only lost one to graduation and was comfortable with being in college.”
His team finished in the top five for the indoor and outdoor season in the Ohio Athletic Conference NCAA Div. III standings and Saylor almost made it to the national meet.
“After the conference meet the coach looks to see who is close to competing at the national level and they get to compete at last chance meets for the chance to qualify for nationals,” Saylor said. “I was sitting in the top 20 for a few of the meets, but I got knocked out at the last one. I think I was tied for 24th and they only take the top 20 to nationals. I just missed out, but that makes me more excited. I never expected to be that close and I have two more years to improve.”
He already has plans for next season.
“I want to set a new PR (personal record) and improve each week and so I can make it to nationals,” Saylor said.
He is the son of Melissa and Art Saylor and is majoring in middle childhood education with concentrations in science and social studies.
“Chris puts a lot of effort into it (pole vaulting) and he really has goals,” Art said. “He’s always been a goal setter. In high school he wanted to go to districts, then regional’s and then state, but it was never about being number one, it was about a growth process. He’s also a good kid and great instructor with young people.”
He’s also been fascinated with pole vaulting since seventh grade.
“I love challenging myself and it’s just a lot of fun to do,” Chris said. “It’s a thrill and an adrenaline rush.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
He is the son of Melissa and Art Saylor and is majoring in middle childhood education with concentrations in science and social studies.
“Chris puts a lot of effort into it (pole vaulting) and he really has goals,” Art said. “He’s always been a goal setter. In high school he wanted to go to districts, then regional’s and then state, but it was never about being number one, it was about a growth process. He’s also a good kid and great instructor with young people.”
He’s also been fascinated with pole vaulting since seventh grade.
“I love challenging myself and it’s just a lot of fun to do,” Chris said. “It’s a thrill and an adrenaline rush.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
