April 2, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton track and field team had the unique opportunity to train with one of the world's best pole vaulters this past week during practice. The Flyers worked with this year's 2008 USA Indoor Pole Vault Champion and World Indoor Championship silver medalist Jenn Stuczynski, as the American record holder visited Dayton.

Stuczynski's ties to Dayton are close as head track and field coach Adam Steinwachs, who along with pole vaulting coach Rich Suhr, helped train Stuczynski while she was a student-athlete at Roberts Wesleyan.

"Having Jenn on campus was great for the entire UD track and field team, said Steinwachs. "Jenn and Rick were completely accessible to the team and they went above and beyond training with us for a few days."

The team trained with Stuczynksi and Suhr all of last week as the pair joined Dayton in practice each day and at the Southern Cup Invite on Saturday.

"Jenn Stuczynski is a natural athlete and it is exciting to know that you where part of the ambiance of her training and success," said sophomore Melissa Walls. "Hopefully we can pick up on some of her mind set to prepare us for this unique sport. She was very focused and down to earth."

As for the impact Stuczynksi and Suhr had on UD's pole vaulters; the proof is in the results. Katie DeVault, Pembroke Strickland, and Melissa Walls each recorded season bests in the pole vault at Miami on Saturday.

"I can see everything that Coach Steinwachs is trying to teach us when I watch Jenn vault and it really helps to see that it works," noted freshman Pembroke Strickland.

Stuczynski, a native of Fredonia, New York is notably the first American woman to clear 16-00.00 and only the third in the world to clear that height. She is currently the outdoor pole vault American record holder. She has been ranked as high as sixth in the world in pole vaulting and in 2007 she was ranked as the No. 1 American pole vaulter according to Track & Field News.

She is a five-time USA Pole Vault Champion with gold medals coming in the 2005, '06, and '07 at the USA Indoor Championships, while earning first place finishes in the Outdoor Championships in 06' and '07.

The Flyers will return to Oxford, Ohio again this weekend for the Miami Team Challenge. Results for Saturday's meet can be found preceding the event at www.DaytonFlyers.com.