Vaulter transfers

MGvaulterdad · July 23, 2003

Read in the Star Telegram this morning that the UNT pole vaulter Ryan Lancon has transfered. He owns indoor and outdoor records. Sad to see him go!

ScreamingEaglesFan · July 23, 2003

Any mention where or why he was transferring?

OldTimer · July 25, 2003

Interesting...I just checked the sports section of the *Telegram and could find no mention of this item.

MGvaulterdad · July 31, 2003

I read this in the Northeast Tarrant sports section by Heidi Pedersen (Northeast beat sports writer). He was from L D Bell. He is transferring to McNeese State in Lake Charles, La. They have a new pole vault coach who is still vaulting in the elite ranks and was a 2 time national champ. Besides coaching, there was an equipment support problem at UNT that never was resolved. As I understanded the situation, Ryan competed at the Midwest NCAA regional meet in Nebraska with the same pole that he brought with him from high school!! Bigger poles mean bigger heights!! He enjoyed his days with the team and UNT but, as I understand it, was ready to try the McNeese deal out before his collegiate carreer was over.

GrandGreen · August 1, 2003

Incredible, we lose one of our best track athletes because UNT cannot supply adequate equipment. Tell me this is not so.

MGvaulterdad · August 3, 2003

Screaming EaglesFan, Thanks for the email. I'll try to give you what I know and my impressions. The lack of equipment issue was identified back before conference indoors. A remedy was found but "lack of money" was given as the reason it couldn't be pursued. I am close with the vaulters so i don't feel qualified to talk about other parts of the program factually. I KNOW the vault wasn't funded for an NCAA elite level athlete. It is expensive for the pole selection that is needed to compete at that level. UNT does have a small supply of poles that can be used to compete with, but only for the low level vaulters. Next, the vault pit is dated and won't be usable very long. Top mat was recovered but internal parts are failing and this is a major cost. The practice facilities are a joke. Vaulters need sprint workouts (which are available) but an elite vaulter needs access to gymnastics equipment to build upper body strength. This was discussed as a need but nothing was ever done as the vaulters pooled their own funds to buy some equipment (Even POLE TIPS). A request was made to the community thru this board for access to warehouse space to put the pit up for indoor/winter-time work. Sorry, but nothing became available.

Lancon was the second 16+ vaulter that was recruited to UNT in the last three years. The young man from Boyd was not heard from again after only one year. Vaulting is only one event, so a program has to make the commitment to fund a first class-program or don't recruit these guys. If this is all UNT can offer-let recruits know.

Regardless of the equipment troubles, it was revealed that there is a serious lack of credible coaching for this particular event. But that is another subject!!! Thanks for the opportunity to vent as UNT is a good school and is on the way up!!!