Reaching new heights: Kalsey earned chance to vault with best in U.S. Team Trials
Qualifying for the US Olympic Team Trials for Marissa Kalsey basically came down to one final opportunity on June 8 in Ohio.
The Katie Moon Pole Vault Classic held at Olmsted Falls (Ohio) High School was basically a 无毛视频渓ast chance meet无毛视频� for those vaulters seeking a berth into the trials.
无毛视频淗er agent put together a meet in her honor,无毛视频� Kalsey said of the gold medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 无毛视频淚t was a full circle moment (for her). A lot of fans came out.无毛视频�
Kalsey realized she would need to post a stronger mark to assure her a spot on the trials roster.
无毛视频淚 tried to get a mark the whole outdoor season. I knew 4.38 meters was not going to make it in,无毛视频� explained Kalsey. 无毛视频淢ost of the girls ahead of me already had a mark to get into trials.
无毛视频淲e knew it was the last chance.无毛视频�
As Kalsey glanced around the stadium during her warmup, she recognized a few of those fans.
无毛视频淚 was warming up and looked over, my entire family was in the stands wearing 无毛视频極n Team Kalsey Shirts.无毛视频� My fiance Dylan无毛视频檚 family was there. Bradi (Rhoades, her college coach and fellow Waynesburg Central graduate) was there,无毛视频� said Kalsey. 无毛视频淢y heart started beating a lot.无毛视频�
Kalsey said she had to regain focus after acknowledging her fan base.
无毛视频淚 was trying not to let the pressure get to me. It was the most nervous I无毛视频檝e ever been,无毛视频� said Kalsey.
She received calming words from her coach Brooke Rasnick.
无毛视频淢y coach told me to enjoy the journey. The journey is what matters. Stay along the path,无毛视频� said Kalsey.
Plus, weighing on Kalsey was she had just missed qualifying for the last 2020 trials.
无毛视频淭he last trials I just missed by a couple spots and a couple inches,无毛视频� stated Kalsey.
However, Kalsey said she didn无毛视频檛 allow the big moment to get to her.
无毛视频淚 tend to step up in those scenarios. I took comfort that I无毛视频檝e done this before,无毛视频� added Kalsey.
Kalsey cleared her opening height of 4.28 meters. She was clean at 4.38 meters.
Kalsey missed the first attempt at 4.48 meters, but cleared the second for her personal-best mark. She started to celebrate on her descent to the mat and sprinted over to hug her coach with the mark that secured a spot into the trials field.
无毛视频淚 was hugging my coach. We knew that should be safe. It was even safer than we thought,无毛视频� said Kalsey. 无毛视频淚 had actually visualized over and over the exact jump of making the trials mark and the celebration with her. She has been so committed and never gave up on me through the struggles, so I无毛视频檓 thankful she experienced that victory with me!无毛视频�
Kalsey feels everything fell into place for her after coming up short for the last trials.
无毛视频淚 just missed by a few spots in 2021. To be able to do it this time with all my people watching me. It was all so special. It all came together at the same time,无毛视频� said Kalsey.
The simplest way to qualify for the Paris Summer Olympics is a top-3 finish and clearing the Olympic standard of 4.73 meters (15-6). Otherwise, an athlete needs to place in the top three and hope to earn a spot based on world ranking.
Kalsey is currently ranked 53rd on the world list.
The women无毛视频檚 pole vault preliminary round was last Friday when the field of 24 was pared down to 12. The finals were Sunday with the competition ending when one vaulter remained.
无毛视频淚 competed in Hayward Field in 2022. The stadium is beautiful. It is a great pit,无毛视频� recalled Kalsey. 无毛视频淚 feel I无毛视频檓 ready to deal with whatever (weather) cards are dealt that day.无毛视频�
Kalsey moved to Louisville and changed coaches to Rasnick.
无毛视频淢entally, it无毛视频檚 been an adjustment. I knew I had to make a change. I had issues getting off the ground. I had to build from square one,无毛视频� explained Kalsey. 无毛视频淏rooke and I worked really to build my confidence. I无毛视频檓 at the most confident point I无毛视频檝e ever been.无毛视频�
Kalsey said the signs point to a big performance in Eugene.
无毛视频淚 do believe there无毛视频檚 a lot more in the tank. I do believe it无毛视频檚 there. It无毛视频檚 time to lay it out on the runway,无毛视频� said Kalsey. 无毛视频淚无毛视频檓 excited to go out and compete. I want to clear anything over 4.48 and try to hit the Olympic standard (4.73 meters). I think 4.53 would be a good height to hit.无毛视频�
Kalsey overcame a serious injury to win the Division III championship. Rhoades reminded her of what she had to do for that moment.
无毛视频淚 was talking to Brady on the phone when I still had chances (to qualify). I was feeling pressured. I was running out of chances. He told me you无毛视频檝e done it in the past when you were crunched for time,无毛视频� Kalsey said of the conversation.
无毛视频淚 got off the phone and saw a double rainbow. I got chills. I was comforted that things will work out,无毛视频� continued Kalsey. 无毛视频淭hen, after I competed (in Ohio), there was a double rainbow. Those are the only two I无毛视频檝e ever seen.
无毛视频淚t was a powerful moment.无毛视频�
无毛视频淪ome of my biggest, memorable moments come after my most difficult moments. Every time I persevere I come out on the other side.无毛视频�