In the news: a recent article in The Forecaster features the Slovenski brothers -- http://www.theforecaster.net/content/m-sportsvaulters
High Standards Vault Camp will emphasize 1) pole vault fundamentals,
2) competition pole vault skills, and 3) strength & conditioning for
vaulters. Campers will have extensive vault sessions on the runway every
morning and afternoon with low vaulter-to-coaches ratios, such as 8 to
1. Vaulting groups are limited to 12 or fewer vaulters. Campers will
have the opportunity to watch their vaulting on videotape throughout the
week. Camp coaches will help vaulters break bad habits, and improve
technique.
The overall camp program will be directed by Bowdoin College track
coach Peter Slovenski and Mercersburg Academy pole vault
coach Steve Slovenski. Both Steve and Peter were Maine state
record setters and state champions as high school vaulters, and four
year varsity college vaulters. Steve’s personal best is 15-5, and Peter
jumped 15-0.
Vaulting sessions will be led by college vaulters Dave Slovenski
(17-7 personal best) and Mike Slovenski (15-6). Dave was the 2008 Nike
National High School Pole Vault Champion, and Mike was the 2011 New
England High School pole vault champion.
The High Standards Vault Camp staff believes that a successful
vaulting career begins by learning and repeating ten drills that teach
vaulters the basics of advanced vaulting technique. After the ten basic
drills are mastered, Dave and Mike will then show athletes how to
progress from fundamentals to advanced technique which includes
acceleration at the takeoff, high plants, dynamic swing-ups, and bar
clearances that maximize height. Each camper will receive extensive
personal and small group coaching. Additional individual runway sessions
are available to every camper at the end of the afternoon vault session
every day.
In addition to vaulting workouts, campers will be led through an
action-packed strength & conditioning regimen each day that will teach
them how to get stronger and faster. Athletes will be able to work on
power, endurance, and speed through our fast-paced and Spartan outdoor
exercise curriculum that starts every morning with a swim in Panther
Pond. Workouts will include hill running, jump rope, medicine ball
drills, beach sprints, swimming, rope climbing, ladder running, and
punching a speed bag.
Campers will also listen to presentations and watch demonstrations
that will help them become more knowledgeable about the complexities,
exercise science, and technique of pole vaulting. Staff members will
also teach campers about other aspects of vaulting such as
visualization, commitment, warming-up for competition, peaking,
self-coaching, and clutch performance in championships.
Campers will be closely supervised at night by counselors in the
cabin and counselors on patrol between the girls' cabin area and the
boys' cabin area.