Blind pole vaulter qualifies for Arizona state track & field meet
April 27, 2013 by MaxPreps, AZPreps365
Richard Obert of the Arizona Republic reported this week that a blind pole vaulter has qualified for Arizona's state track & field tournament.
Aria Ottmueller, a junior from Valley Christian (Chandler, Ariz.), cleared 6 feet, 7 inches during the Chandler City Meet to reach provisional Division IV qualifying.
Photo by Richard Obert/Arizona RepublicThe amazing teenager told Obert, "I was born completely blind and then I gained some vision, so I was at 20-200. Then I lost half of what I had. So now I'm at 20-400."
She admitted, "When I'm pole vaulting, I can't see the pit. I can't really see anything."
Obert explained, "Ottmueller does it based on steps and memory. She lines herself up on the runway, marking where she needs to start. Then she counts the strides, knowing at which stride to plant the pole and rise into the air to come over the bar."
In the beginning she was a distance runner, but it wasn't enough of a challenge for the spunky junior. She also has done gymnastics.
When she first approached coaches about pole vaulting, she was given a definite "no," but she persisted and wore them down.
Assistant coach Al Nelson said, "What a story. We have a little joke, that because she really can't see where she's landing, it's almost easier for her. She has overcome so much in the classroom and on the field. She was determined that she was going to pole vault."
Brushing off thoughts of a possible injury, the fearless teenager says simply, "You can't be afraid of what you can't see."
* Two-time defending state sprint champion Ky Westbrook of Chandler (Ariz.) made her mark this week in an entirely different event when she set a state record in the shot put. She threw 47 feet, 9 inches to break a record which had stood for 33 years. Ky is the daughter of former NFL wide receiver Michael Westbrook.
Aria Ottmueller, a junior from Valley Christian (Chandler, Ariz.), cleared 6 feet, 7 inches during the Chandler City Meet to reach provisional Division IV qualifying.
Photo by Richard Obert/Arizona RepublicAria Ottmueller
She admitted, "When I'm pole vaulting, I can't see the pit. I can't really see anything."
Obert explained, "Ottmueller does it based on steps and memory. She lines herself up on the runway, marking where she needs to start. Then she counts the strides, knowing at which stride to plant the pole and rise into the air to come over the bar."
In the beginning she was a distance runner, but it wasn't enough of a challenge for the spunky junior. She also has done gymnastics.
When she first approached coaches about pole vaulting, she was given a definite "no," but she persisted and wore them down.
Assistant coach Al Nelson said, "What a story. We have a little joke, that because she really can't see where she's landing, it's almost easier for her. She has overcome so much in the classroom and on the field. She was determined that she was going to pole vault."
Brushing off thoughts of a possible injury, the fearless teenager says simply, "You can't be afraid of what you can't see."
* Two-time defending state sprint champion Ky Westbrook of Chandler (Ariz.) made her mark this week in an entirely different event when she set a state record in the shot put. She threw 47 feet, 9 inches to break a record which had stood for 33 years. Ky is the daughter of former NFL wide receiver Michael Westbrook.
