BY TIM MORRIS
January 18th, 2005
The Independant
From the first time that Julianne Toto gave the pole vault a try, she was mesmerized by it. “It felt so cool, I loved it,” she recalled. “I didn’t want to leave. Being in the air is so cool.” That was when the Middletown South vaulter was just starting out in the event as a sophomore.
Two years later, she is the indoor Group III state champion, with the fourth best vault in the country (12-5) and a ticket to Cornell University for her efforts. She and the pole vault, it turned out, were a perfect match.
Sunday, Toto made history by becoming the first indoor pole vault champion in state history. This winter, the NJSIAA put the pole vault on its indoor schedule of events for the first time, and Toto took full advantage of the opportunity to win her first state title and make history in the process. She won the Group III title by vaulting 12-0 in Princeton University’s Jadwin Gymnasium.
“It’s not about winning anymore,” said Toto. “I love it so much I just want to keep going higher. “I want to do 13-0 indoors and hopefully higher outdoors,” she added.
Toto’s dedication to the event is unquestionable. Speaking of dedication, three times a week she travels two hours one way to Bethlehem, Pa., to vault at Vertical Assault under the direction of Mike Lawryk, who is the reason that Toto spends four hours in the car to and fro.
“He knows how to coach the pole vault,” she said. “He breaks it down into drills — the vault, the swing and the run-up.””
Toto will be in Reno, Nev., this weekend to take part in the National Pole Vault Summit. In addition to competing and meeting her fellow vaulters, some of the biggest names in the sport, including 2000 Olympic champion and former world-record holder Stacy Dragila, will be there.
Having won the Group III title, next on Toto’s list is the Indoor Meet of Champions on Feb. 27 in Princeton. There, she can make history again, becoming the first indoor MOC champion.
© 2005 Vertical Assault