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It really wasn’t much of a “vacation” from officiating. My last “official” meet was the cross country regionals, so it’s been about six weeks to my first indoor track meet. But it was “good to be back”, officiating the pole vault at the Muskingum High School indoor meet on Saturday (12/13). Warmups were to ChristmasContinue reading “Back to Work!!”

55 Years of Track I started running track and field in 1970.  In fact, I read “The Jesse Owens Story”, and found myself digging “starting holes” just like him, in the backyard.  It was only when I got on the old cinder track behind Van Buren Junior High School in Kettering, that I found out about startingContinue reading “The Right Call”

The “warmup rule” for High Jump and Pole Vault is changing for the 2026 track seasons. Here’s the difference. The 2025 rule was that athletes would get a warmup period (2 mins for PV, 1 1/2 mins for HJ) without a bar or bungee at their entering height bar change if they passed three orContinue reading “2026 – High School Warmup Rule”

After fifty years as a track athlete then a coach,  meet manager, and now an official who “specializes” in Pole Vault; weather in Ohio is always a factor.   We can run in anything short of lightning.  I’ve vaulted in snow, wind, and even light rain.  And my “reputation” is:  if they can play a football game in the weather, weContinue reading “There’s A Window”

I had the privilege of officiating the pole vault at  Ohio’s OHSAA 7th and 8th Grade State Track Championships Saturday.  It always fun to officiate the vault, but what made Saturday different, was motivation.  The officiating crew was highly motivated to give the athletes their best efforts.  The pole vault pit crew did a fantastic job under some of the toughestContinue reading “Making “The Call””