We are thrilled to celebrate the One Year Anniversary of TAKEOFF Magazine! We thank every one who is supporting our effort to inspire amateur athletes to personal greatness. This includes our advertisers over the last year: SPIRE Academy, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, The Pole Vault Toolbox, The Pole Vault: A Violent Ballet, The Hudson Valley Flying Circus, Kanstet Runways, FiberSport Poles, RockBack Pole Bags, and Pole Vault Carolina.
To every coach and parent who allowed us to tell your athlete’s story, we are grateful. We have highlighted the accomplishments of 30 club athletes!
To elite coaches Jim Bemiller, Tim Mack, David Alan Butler, Tim Reilly, and Shawn Wilbourn who have provided expert feedback on the videos of young athletes, thank you. We know there are athletes out there who are learning to pole vault from online videos. The Coach’s Critique department is for them!
To all who have shown support on social media, we appreciate your encouragement.
In this issue, Ralph Hardy interviewed 2020 Olympic Bronze medalist Holly Bradshaw who, after her best season yet, is having the time of her life! The interview begins on page 22.
In the June issue of TAKEOFF, we featured Katie Nageotte in a story called Leading the Way. Now the Olympic champion, Katie joins us again and has written a letter to her 12 year-old self in If I Knew Then, page 34. It is a must read.
Debbie Chappell of UCS Spirit, the host of the National Pole Vault Summit, penned a brief history of the premier event which is unlike any other in the world. Page 16.
Tim Reilly of Northwest Pole Vault tells us the story of Ally Nieders and her commitment to Duke University. The Last to Believe is on page 14. (Also, welcome to Durham, Ally!)
The head track and field coach of Duke, Shawn Wilbourn, critiques a video of Sofia San Miguel for this installment of Coach’s Critique, pg 30.
There is so much more including an invitation for club and high school coaches to work together for the benefit of the athlete in Makes and Misses; an article on the importance of little victories; ClubHub athletes from Poseidon Pole Vault Club and Memphis Vault Club, and nutritional guidance on how to be a pro at eating protein.
Here’s to Year #2!
All the Very Best,
Adele
