PENN RELAYS

Philadelphia, PA

1. Joe Berry - 17' 4.5"
8. Micheal Seaman - 16' 6.5" PR
10. Brad Holtz - 16' 0.5"

Joe Berry captured the Penn Relays Championship title by clearing 5.30m and having less misses at earlier heights. He returned to his old stomping grounds where he broke the Penn Relays record his senior year of high school. Michael Seaman continued his progression by clearing a personal best of 5.05m and achieving his first career regional qualifier. Brad Holtz cleared 16', struggling a bit during the meet after very good warm-ups. Competitoin was strong in this meet as many of the top NCAA vaulters were in attendance. The temperature was very hot and the crowd was tremendous, similar to a college football game. The winds were swirling in all directions and required some toughness from the vaulters. The guys will now prepare for the Smokey Mountain Twilight meet as they continue to gear up for SEC's and beyond.

SEA RAY RELAYS

Open Section

1st: Robert Rasnick 17'1" Unattached Double PR

Michael Seaman - Tennessee: NH



Invite Section

Brad Holtz - Tenn: NH

Joe Berry - Tenn: NH




This years version of the annual Sea Ray meet was a bit marred by weather. It seemed to get the best of the field. It was a mix of good and bad for the squad. Joe, Brad, and Michael all suffered from lackluster warm-ups and failed to clear the opening height. Hopefully, this disappointment will lead to increased determination and committment to rebound for the next meet. Redshirt Robert Rasnick was the highlight of the day, battling through difficult warm-ups to clear two lifetime bests. He was able to negotiate 16'6 and then 17'1, while still vaulting from 7 lefts. He continues to show he has big time vault potential after setting a lifetime best last week at 16'3". Although the sections were separate, Robert had the highest vault of the day for either section and had a few nice jumps at 5.30m.

2009 FLORIDA RELAYS

The University of Florida

2. Berry, Joseph Tennessee 5.35m 17-06.50 SB
3. Ayers, Michael Tennessee 5.15m 16-10.75 Outdoor PR
8. Robert Rasnick Unattached-Tenn 4.96 16-02.75 PR
8. Seaman, Michael Tennessee 4.95m 16-02.75 Outdoor PR
10. Holtz, Brad Tennessee 4.80m 15-09.00

The guys made their first full return to outdoor competition at the Florida Relays. The sun was out and the temperature was perfect for pole vaulting. The winds were switchy and the direction of the pit was an issue. Joe Berry fought through inconsistent winds to place 2nd with a seasonal best of 5.35m. Michael Ayers jumped an outdoor personal best of 16-10.5" to continue his recent string of vaulting. People watching were freaked out by his 14 to 15 foot take-offs. Both guys achieved regional qualifying marks. Redshirt Robert Rasnick, broke through today with some 7 lefts vaulting to clear 4.95. He blew through all his poles but was fortunate to borrow a few poles from fellow competitors. Michael Seaman continued his miraculous return to vaulting, having his first comp from full run. He cleared 4.95m to eclipse his outdoor PR from last year. Brad Holtz showed signs of returning to form as he progressed through to some bigger poles and had more consistency in his run. We will hope for good weather and nice winds at the Sea Ray Relays.