"We are the boys from old Florida
F-L-O-R-I-D-A
Where the girls are the fairest,
The boys are the squarest
Of any old state down our way
We are all strong for old Florida
Down where the old Gators play
In all kinds of weather
We'll all stick together
for F-L-O-R-I-D-A"
The four years I spent at the University of Florida were truly four of the best years of my life. Being a part of such an amazing program and the privilege of being an athlete at a school like that is unmatched. I told our athletic director, Jeremy Foley this and I still stand by it today…as a female track athlete I did NOT feel any LESS important than an athlete like Tim Tebow or my husband who played baseball, Matt LaPorta. UF did an outstanding job of providing the same benefits and perks to all athletes across the board. Jeremy Foley knew my name as well as he knew Joakim Noah's. Who can say that?! There are very few programs that treat their women's athletics with such respect and prestige.
Being a pole-vaulter was just the best. People are fascinated with the sport and can't fathom how you do it! Like with any sport you start small and work your way up. You start with the basics, lots of practice and drills before you ever actually "pole-vault". What I love about the event that it requires the strength, flexibility and power of your entire body. There is no one aspect that is more or less important when it comes to the pole-vault. You need speed, you need power, you need strength, you need precision, and boy do you need mental toughness.
We incorporated so many types of training that it never became boring. We were in the weight room doing Olympic lifts and box jumps a few times a week; we spent time in The Swamp performing plyometrics and conditioning fondly knows as "Stadium Snakes" and "Gator Mountains"; we spent time on the track running sprints; we even spent time in the gymnastics facilities working on different elements there.
I had the opportunity to work with and alongside some incredible athletes, coaches and trainers. I call Urban Meyer, Chris Leak, Ryan Lochte, Kerron Clement friends. The training facilities and equipment are second to none. I grew as an athlete and as a student.
Gainesville and the University of Florida hold a very special place in my heart that will go untouched. What a gift and privilege it is to bleed orange and blue.
Being a pole-vaulter was just the best. People are fascinated with the sport and can't fathom how you do it! Like with any sport you start small and work your way up. You start with the basics, lots of practice and drills before you ever actually "pole-vault". What I love about the event that it requires the strength, flexibility and power of your entire body. There is no one aspect that is more or less important when it comes to the pole-vault. You need speed, you need power, you need strength, you need precision, and boy do you need mental toughness.
We incorporated so many types of training that it never became boring. We were in the weight room doing Olympic lifts and box jumps a few times a week; we spent time in The Swamp performing plyometrics and conditioning fondly knows as "Stadium Snakes" and "Gator Mountains"; we spent time on the track running sprints; we even spent time in the gymnastics facilities working on different elements there.
I had the opportunity to work with and alongside some incredible athletes, coaches and trainers. I call Urban Meyer, Chris Leak, Ryan Lochte, Kerron Clement friends. The training facilities and equipment are second to none. I grew as an athlete and as a student.
Gainesville and the University of Florida hold a very special place in my heart that will go untouched. What a gift and privilege it is to bleed orange and blue.
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