Kalsey becomes two-time All-American
Westminster College freshman Marissa Kalsey didn’t reach the heights she had hoped, but still attained a level no other Lady Titan has in the history of the track & field program.
Kalsey became the school’s first female two-time track & field All-American when she finished fifth in the pole vault last Thursday afternoon at the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships held at Wisconsin-LaCrosse. The Waynesburg Central graduate cleared 3.65 meters (12-3½) to secure a spot in the top eight and gain All-America status.
Kalsey passed at the opening height of 3.45 meters, then successfully cleared 3.60 meters on her first attempt. She passed at 3.70 meters and needed two attempts to clear 3.75 meters. Kalsey missed all three attempts at 3.80 meters, having a difficult time getting her steps right.
“I was short, held onto the pole and the pole re-bent again and I hit the side mat,” Kalsey said of her first attempt. “I fixed my run on the second attempt and everything was good (on her final attempt). I went right into the bar.”
Kalsey was seeded fourth entering the national championships with a school-record 3.97 meters.
“I could tell from the beginning I wasn’t having good runs,” said Kalsey. “It was just a weird day. Some of the girls had problems with their runs.”
After taking in her first-year accomplishments the day after the national finals, Kalsey was pleased with what she achieved. “I’m happy with that, not satisfied. At first, I was mad at myself, but then I realized some of the girls didn’t finish as well as they had before.”
Ramapo’s Emily Shipley and Moravian’s Hailey Kester also cleared 12-3½, but Shipley finished fourth because she only needed one attempt to reach the height and Kester was sixth, needing three attempts for the height.
Ramapo’s Michelle Favre finished first after clearing 13-5¼.
Kalsey earned indoor All-America status when she finished fourth with a vault of 3.95 meters.
Kalsey doesn’t have any competitions lined up over the summer, preferring to practice, work some camps and take a break after her transitional year from high school to college.
“It was a long season, but, at the same time, I’m sad it’s over,” said Kalsey, an early elementary education major. “(Her class schedule) was tough, but track never interfered. My teachers were lenient. I’m definitely pleased with every season (starting with her freshman year in high school). I went up six inches and I’m really happy with that in my freshman year. (College) was a big change. It’s a lot more stressful. I’m a lot more emotional. It’s harder.”
Kalsey is also pleased with her decision to attend Westminster.
“I’m really happy I went to Westminster. I’m happy to be working with coach Bradi (Rhoades). I see a little of (Waynesburg Central vault) coach (Butch) Brunell in Bradi. (Coach Rhoades) cares about me as a person. That’s nice. My family all came out to watch me. I had a lot of support.”