USATF Certified Coach

Pole Vault Carolina Featured in Vaulter Magazine!

Becoming More Through Sport by Adele Correale San Miguel Published in Vaulter Magazine on January 1, 2016. Pole Vault Carolina began 6 years ago at the insistence of a steadfast parent. Richard Booth needed a coach for his son, then a junior at Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. Richard sought out Jose R. San Miguel, who was assisting with track and field practice at another local high school. But Jose had a day job and only attended practice to…

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Harrison Williams: A Decathlete’s Pole Vault Advantage

Originally published in Vaulter Magazine, September 2015 by Adele Correale San Miguel When Harrison Williams grabbed a pole as a gangly 15-year-old to compete in his first decathlon, no one believed he had the strength to sprint down the runway and haul himself over the bar, let alone triumph in the other nine events. He was only running track to stay in shape for his main sport, basketball. Harrison had never vaulted, nor attempted seven of the ten events that…

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Best Wishes to Pole Vault Carolina’s Kreager Taber!

When recent Cary Academy graduate Kreager Tabor joined Pole Vault Carolina, she brought great energy to the club. In addition to being a pole vaulter, Kreager is a triple jumper, high jumper, relay runner, and captain of the Cary Academy track and field team. Kreager improved 12” in her last season and holds the Cary Academy record in the vault. She is the state champion for the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association division. Kreager is headed to Middlebury College where…

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Congratulations to Pole Vault Carolina’s Stephen Risk!

It was a cold Sunday in February of 2013 when Panther Creek sophomore Stephen Risk picked up a pole for the first time. Stephen worked hard physically and mentally, and in two short years, became the Panther Creek High School record holder.  He qualified for the NCHSSA 4A Indoor State Championships.  In his senior year alone, Stephen improved 20”! Stephen graduated this past weekend and will attend Appalachian State University.  Stephen, we thank you for the opportunity to be part…

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Requirements for a Stellar Year

For the dedicated vaulter, the season begins now, mere weeks after the end of summer track. Those with lofty goals must begin earlier and prepare more fully.  Your conditioning, both mental and physical, cannot wait until the official high school season or NCAA start date. Requirements for a Stellar Year: 1. Desire – Define how you want to feel these upcoming seasons.  Unbound?  Unlimited?  What are the precise words? 2. Grit – Lift the weights. Do the pushups.  Leap the hurdles.  Run, plant,…

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The Race of His Life

Sometimes, I predict the future. While attending the Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Mexico last week, I met Julius Rivera, a sprinter who lives in PA but who represents Puerto Rico.  Julius’ father used to hurdle at the University of Puerto Rico.  Julius was there to run the 100 and 200 meter races. He admitted that he intended to scratch the 200. I challenged Julius to reconsider his position. What if you false start in the 100 mm? What…

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It’s Go Time

We strap the pole bag to the top of the truck with bungees, double check the tape, sticky spray, spikes, jersey, water, snacks, gas money, ear phones and protein bars.  Poles for long approach, short approach, and the pole our athletes dream of grabbing after they have surmounted their personal record. It’s go time. Time for the long rides and the opportunity to witness our athletes try once again to push themselves against a higher bar.  It’s time to show…

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World’s Fastest Human: A Coach, A Son, A Company

My first exposure to track and field came during the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico.  I witnessed greatness from athletes and coaches even though I had no real comprehension of the magnitude of their feats.  It was then that I decided track was going to be my future.  Among those whom I saw were Renaldo the hurdler, Carl the long jumper, Willie and Joao the triple jumpers, and Juan the 400/800 runner.  Also, I met a coach named Wilbur.…

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Purple-Haired Pole Vault Coach

When Megan Comstock first started vaulting, she began like all beginners, jumping about 6′.  Early on, during a frustrating practice when she did not believe she would ever improve, Coach Jose bet she would clear 8′ by the end of her freshman season.  And if she did, he would dye his hair purple, a nod to Megan who has a purple streak on the under side of her brown ponytail. Megan jumped 8’7″ as a freshman, and 11’3″ as a sophomore,…

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Safety in Pole Vault

In a sport that defies gravity, and is performed on equipment that deteriorates in weather, safety is a high priority. While dangers lurk for those running on the track, they are amplified for the daring few who feel a higher calling. A vocal advocate for pole vault safety, Coach Jose San Miguel recently trained the coaches at the North Carolina Track & Cross Country Coaches Conference.  With an in-depth curricula, Jose instructed high school coaches from North Carolina and Virginia on starting a new…

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CONTACT US

Phone: (919) 523-8333
Email: jose@polevaultcarolina.com

OUR LOCATION

2415 Presidential Drive, Suite 114
Durham, NC 27703