Walker was the 2003 NCAA Indoor Champion
in the pole vault (Erik Palmer/Trackwire) |
1. You routed the field in the pole vault at the NCAA indoor meet by nearly nine inches, in the process becoming the first athlete in Pac-10 history -- and one of only five in the world this season -- to clear the elite 19-foot mark. What were your thoughts immediately after clearing 19'00.25" and what do you look forward to this outdoor season?
My thoughts after the jump were "Finally, 19 feet." That has been a goal of mine for a while now and I finally hit it. For this outdoor season, I'll be looking forward for a warm day with a nice little tail-wind.
2. Your vault coach Pat Licari has helped you achieve new heights this season. How much does it help to have a coach like Licari around for your success?
It's vital for all pole vaulters to have a great coach. Pat is very technical and we break down every vault to see what needs to be changed. I can work out on my own, but I need a good coach to help make the necessary changes to my vault.
3. How difficult was it for you to come back from off-season foot surgery in 2001 and how does it feel today?
Well, it's as difficult as any injury that any athlete has. You have to work through it, fight through the pain, and be smart about how much you can push it. As for today, it hurts from time to time, stiff in the morning, etc. But it doesn't keep me from running down the runway.
4. Also earning first-team Academic All-Pac-10 honors, how important is a solid college education to you and what will you be earning your degree in this spring?
I believe to be successful in one aspect of your life, you need to work hard and be successful in all areas. My education is every bit as important as my athletics. It keeps you focused, grounded, and makes you realize that if track doesn't work out for as long as you want, your education will be there to fall back on. I will be earning my degree in Business Administration and have an emphasis in Marketing.
5. Looking back upon your freshman year at Washington to now, what has been some of the more technical improvements you have made since that time?
The list is endless. To keep it simple, I'm stronger, faster, and my plant and top end have improved quite a bit.
6. Washington recently completed building an indoor multi-purpose facility that ranks among the top in the nation. Is it easier for you to now train there in the new atmosphere as opposed to what you had before?
Definitely. We used to have to practice about 5 miles away, in an old air force hanger. Baseball players had broken a majority of the windows and it was freezing almost all the time. The new facility is great and obviously it is beneficial to my training.
7. With your performance at the NCAA indoor meet, you moved into a tie for third with American Derek Miles and France's Romain Mesnil in the 2003 IAAF World Rankings. With your mark among the best in the world, have you thought about where you would like to train and what you would like to accomplish after your collegiate career is over?
Right now my mind is still set on the outdoor season. Yes, I want to keep training but I don't know where yet. As for after college, I have many goals, however jumping well in the trials is one of the biggest.
8. One of the new rule changes this year was the shortening of the pegs and the restrictions of standard placements. How did this affect you this season?
The restriction of standard placements is a good rule. Nobody needs their standards closer than 45cm. However, the shortened pegs rule is worthless. There is no need for this change. All the old records have been set, so why change any of the equipment. Leave it alone and let people jump.
9. For those of us who have never experienced what it's like to compete at the NCAA Championships, describe what it is like to be part of such a great meet among all the other great athletes.
It's an honor. You have the opportunity to jump against all the other great collegiate jumpers and everybody pushes everybody else.
10. Are you the type to hop on the internet and research how your competitors are doing or do you not bother and simply show up to do your best every weekend?
Regardless of how someone else has jumped, I go out and try to jump my best, however I still get on the internet and see if anybody has posted any big jumps.
11. What is the most important piece of advice you can give someone who wishes to give the vault a try for the first time?
Stick with it because success doesn't happen over night.