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Hintz at championship
Competes in pole vault for SDSU Kelsy Hintz, right, of San Diego State University, gets a hug during an event earlier this season. The 2008 Del Norte High School graduate is competing in the pole vault today at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo courtesy of San Diego State University/Stan Liu The San Diego State University sophomore missed her first two vaults before hitting it on the third and final attempt at the start of the event at the NCAA West Regionals in Eugene, Ore., on May 27. “I thought I was out of it,” the 2008 Del Norte High School graduate recalled. But she persevered and later nailed a vault of 13 feet, 3½ inches on her first attempt. This proved to be the difference as she earned the 12th and final spot in the pole vault and a trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Des Moines, Iowa. There were three others that tied with Hintz by also vaulting 13 feet, 3½ inches but because they did not make the vault on their first attempt, Hintz was the one to advance. “I wasn’t sure I made it for a little bit but then my name flashed on the board,” Hintz said. “My family was going crazy. It was really exciting. It was definitely a goal coming into the season.” Today at approximately 3:25 PST the women’s pole vault at the NCAA championship is set to begin. Hintz is currently ranked 10th in the competition out of 24 competitors. Hintz was trying to find the words to describe what she was feeling as she talked to The Triplicate by phone from Des Moines Wednesday night. She had been in airports and planes most of the day and was “worn out from traveling,” but ecstatic to be in Iowa and was ready to compete against the best pole vaulters in the nation. As she prepares for nationals, Hintz said that it feels similar to when she made it to the state championship for the first time as a high school sophomore and was able to take 5th place. “It’s just all been crazy and so exciting,” she said. Hintz has had a terrific season with the Aztecs. On May 13, Hintz won the Mountain West Championship in the pole vault. She set a personal-best mark of 13-07.25 on April 23 at the UCSD Triton Invitational, which was the fourth best in SDSU history. Currently she has cleared 13 feet at five consecutive meets. Hintz, who was born and raised in Del Norte County, competed all four years in the pole vault at Del Norte and placed second at state during her junior and senior years. Hintz is grateful for the opportunity to compete at nationals and said she wants to be competitive and perform well. She says the keys are “to stay focused and be ready to do my best.” Several family members are in Iowa to cheer her on including her mom and grandparents from Crescent City. Wednesday night, Hintz said that Thursday would be a mellow day as she rested her body and got ready for the big day, “I’m going to be lying low,” Hintz said. Today, her big day arrives. Live action of the championship from Des Moines is being shown at www.ncaa.com/sports/trackfield-outdoor-women/d1. |
