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Kalsey wins Dave Labor Invitational

By Jim Downey, For The Greene County Messenger 3 min read

Marissa Kalsey nearly hit new heights Saturday at the Dave Labor Invitational hosted by Slippery Rock University, and although she missed a PR in the pole vault, the Waynesburg Central graduate finished first.

Kalsey, a junior at Westminster College, was the only vaulter to clear 13-1, just shy of her season personal best of 13-3½. Her PR is the top vault in Division III this season.

The title almost didn’t happen because Kalsey nearly no-heighted at her opening height.

“I’ve been coming in at 12-2. Coming at that height has really helped me. I know I have to get all the way over the bar and invert,” explained Kalsey. “I missed the first two attempts. I made a lot of adjustments and made my third attempt.”

The field of 25 vaulters whittled down to just three after Kalsey cleared 12-2.

Kalsey passed at 12-8 with the other two vaulters, Slippery Rock’s Courtney McQuaide and Kaitlyn Clark, failing to clear the height.

Kalsey was the only vaulter remaining at 13-1 and cleared the height for first place.

Then, Kalsey and coach Bradi Rhoades, a Waynesburg Central grad, decided to move the bar to 13-8.

“I almost had it. I went to a bigger pole for the first time in a meet,” explained Kalsey. “My second attempt was the best one. I was over the top of (the bar) and scraped it on the way down with either my chest or stomach.

“I moved my standards up and was short.”

Kalsey easily cleared the bar at 13-8, a fact that bolstered her confidence.

“Now, I actually know what I can do,” said Kalsey. “I thought people did better in practice than in a meet. That was the first time for me to get on those (bigger) poles in a meet.”

Kalsey added, with a laugh, “I figured something out.”

Rhoades was pleased, as well.

“My coach was so excited. I was way over 13-8,” said Kalsey.

Kalsey injured her hamstring earlier in the season, but seems to be healing just fine.

“It was 50-50 if I was vaulting at the Westminster Invitational,” said Kalsey.

Kalsey has the Presidents’ Athletic Conference meet this week at Grove City College, then the Jesse Owens Track Classic at Ohio State on May 1-2.

The NCAA Division III National Track & Field Championships close the season in Canton, N.Y., on May 21-23.

“I’m really excited. I’ve never been this consistent at the high heights. I finally got everything,” said Kalsey. “It’s finally all coming together at the right time.

“My goal is to hit 14 feet this season.”

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