Luke Schoen - NCAA Championship Finals

[uofalbany]

It looks as though Luke landed 5th , although he cleared 5.25m as did the others who tied for 2nd..

 

Hell of a job Luke!

 

http://www.flashresults.com/2008_Meets/outdoor/DivisionI/

 

Finals

1. Maston Wallace FR Texas 5.35m 17-06.50 10

5.10 5.25 5.35 5.45 5.50

O XO XO PPP XXX

2. Yavgeniy Olhovsky SO Virginia Tech 5.25m 17-02.75 6.33

5.10 5.25 5.35

O O XXX

2. Nick Frawley SO Air Force 5.25m 17-02.75 6.33

5.10 5.25 5.35

O O XXX

2. Jared O'Connor JR Washington 5.25m 17-02.75 6.33

5.10 5.25 5.35

O O XXX

5. Luke Schoen SO Albany 5.25m 17-02.75 4

5.10 5.25 5.35

XO O XXX

6. Robert Caldwell SR New Mexico 5.25m 17-02.75 3

5.10 5.25 5.35

O XO XXX

7. Jeff Coover JR Indiana 5.25m 17-02.75 2

5.10 5.25 5.35

XXO XO XXX

[GreatDanes06]

I am shocked they actually competed today, since most of Des Moines has been evacuated because of the flooding. Congrats to Luke. I think he can compete and possibly win this title in the final two years at UA.

[bleedpurple101]

I am shocked they actually competed today, since most of Des Moines has been evacuated because of the flooding. Congrats to Luke. I think he can compete and possibly win this title in the final two years at UA.

 

 

Luke did awesome today! The key to being successful at the NCAA level in track is hitting your peak at the right time and staying consistent! Luke did both those things this year. Hit 17 for the first time at conferences, and remained there for the rest of post-season...thats how you do it! GO DANES

[McFan]

A little dated but below is an email from Coach Vives. If you know Coach, you should read this with his enthusiasm.

 

"I was amazed yesterday watching Luke Schoen qualify for the NCAA final in the Pole Vault here in Des Moines, Iowa (see press release below) since he competed like a Champion. Luke had every reason not to succeed. He is only a sophomore and it is his first NCAA Championship. He is the only UAlbany NCAA qualifier and does not have any teammates here and the trip to Des Moines was a disaster. It took 30 hours to arrive to Des Moines due to storms and the worst flooding experienced in Iowa since 1993. The flight was sent to Charlotte and he had to spend the day and night there before leaving on Tuesday for Des Moines. The airlines also lost his luggage and three of his poles were crushed in the shipping process. To top things off there was a tornado watch the day of the qualifying round and the winds in the stadium were ferocious. Luke’s spirits were not dampened however. He came to compete! He had a pole that he used for the first time at the Regionals and a new pole that was just shipped to the hotel that he has never used. He was unbelievably positive and represented UAlbany in a way that would have made you all proud. In his warm-ups he was struggling to get on the new pole because it is heavier and stiffer than anything that he has ever used. I sat in the stands and thought “wow” he is trying to get on a new pole at the NCAA Championship. Coach McVey did an incredible job to keep him focused, calm and ready so by the end of the warm-up Luke cleared a personal record of 17’ 9”.

 

 

 

Now the competition begins and Luke handled the pressure like a pro. It did not matter to him that he was in a field of the best collegiate jumpers in the country from powerhouse programs like UCLA, Arkansas, Oregon, Tennessee etc. He was confident and passed on the first height of 16”2” and came in at his highest opening height ever of 16” 9” and cleared on his first attempt. There were 28 jumpers who were split among two pits and they would move up in height eliminating jumpers until they reached a number of 16 or fewer who then advance to Friday’s final. On the third height (17’ 2 3//4”) there were still 25 jumpers left. Luke cleared this height on his 2nd attempt. 10 jumpers missed at this height and Luke advances to Friday’s final. HE DID THE INCREDIBLE against the odds. In my mind whatever happens on Friday – He is already a CHAMPION. We have a rest day today and the weather is still bad. Downtown Des Moines is virtually closed down due to the flooding. Many teams were forced to move from hotels located close to the river. This is a true test of perseverance. Please feel free to call XXX-XXX-XXXX, e-mail XXXXXXX@albany.edu. He would appreciate hearing from you and would be lifted by the show of support. Thank You - Roberto Vives"

[olddog71]

Wow! No matter whatever else occurs on this board, this is what it's all about.

 

Congratulations, Luke! Congratulations to Coaches Vives and McVey! Congratulations, Great Danes!

 

McFan, thanks for sharing this story with us.

 

This story should be published in the local news media.