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Record-breaking pole vaulter sets her sights high
By Kory Ellingson/Contributing Writer
 Media Credit: Christine Johnson/Editor SCSU junior Jodi Tarasewicz pole vaults during the Husky Open Saturday at the Halenbeck Fieldhouse. Tarasewicz has been pole vaulting since she was in the ninth grade.
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Since Jodi Tarasewicz picked up her first pole in ninth grade, she has nearly dominated her sport � pole vaulting.
Tarasewicz, of Cottage Grove, Minn., has gained national recognition with the Husky women's track team by setting and breaking records.
She finished second in the state meet as a junior in high school and returned there as a senior to finish first, but wasn't satisfied with that. Tarasewicz wanted the state record and got it. Battling with a rival vaulter from Woodbury throughout her high school years, Tarasewicz got the last laugh by vaulting a still-standing state record of 11'3".
Many colleges tried to recruit Tarasewicz for their track team, but she decided on SCSU. Despite verbally committing to Missouri, pole-vaulting coach Kevin Hanson was able to talk her into competing for the Huskies. For Tarasewicz, the choice was easy.
"For a couple years, I came here for the pole vault camp and got familiar with the facility and the coaches, which I got to know very well," Tarasewicz said. "After talking to Kevin, he is why I'm here. Kevin is very big on fundraising, and I'm lucky to be here to have a bigger selection of poles to help my performance."
Tarasewicz has not disappointed either Hanson or the track team with her performances. She broke both the indoor and outdoor records for the university in only two years of vaulting. As a first-year student, she set the new indoor record at a height of 12'3" and just a year later she set the outdoor record of 12'1".
"Determination, desire, dedication, it's all there," Hanson said. "She asks a lot of questions and is a student of the sport."
Last year Tarasewicz went to nationals and finished a very impressive third place. Her ability and hard work have paid off. She is a four-time All American award winner. Two-time indoor and two-time outdoor with plenty of time to reach her goal of 13'1", which would be enough to qualify for Olympic tryouts.
Success did not come easy. Her achievements have taken time and hard work, which has been noticed by her coaches.
"She was a leader from the get-go as a freshman," said head coach Seth Mischke. "She has brought hard work and dedication to the team and that has made it fun."
Tarasewicz has been a part of track since she was a child, running in camps with her friends, but it's her brother that gave her the passion for it.
Two years older than Tarasewicz, her brother was a big influence in encouraging her to stick with it. She started running relays and the 400 meter dash, but it was pole-vaulting that caught her eye as a freshman in high school and has been a part of her ever since.
Risks are a part of every sport and flying over 12 feet in the air is no exception. In fact, the risk in vaulting is greater than many sports. People that are not knowledgeable about pole vaulting often do not know of the risks involved. Some people who have gone through the air and missed the safety mattress have suffered serious neck and back injuries. Some have even died. For Tarasewicz, the fear of getting hurt does not stop her. Vaulting for over 6 years has put the sport in Tarasewicz's blood and nothing can scare her away from it.
"I've always said that if I die vaulting, I will die happy," Tarasewicz said.
She is majoring in sports management. When she graduates she would like to work with college administration and athletic programs.
Her resume will not only include her many accomplishments in track, but also her three-year tenure as the president of the Student Athletic Advisory Council. Tarasewicz plans fundraisers to help youth athletes in lower income communities.
Her next event is the Bowl-a-thon Feb. 24, from 2-5 at the Vilo Lanes in Waite Park. Both athletes and the community bowl for free. Donations will be given to the Boys and Girls Club.
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