TERRE HAUTE —
After missing on her first attempt Friday in her quest for a fourth NCAA pole vault championship, Kylie Hutson was in a position that was unfamiliar in her last two collegiate seasons.
The Indiana State senior had to battle from behind.
But as, ISU women’s coach John Gartland said Friday, Hutson thrives under pressure. She proved that again, capping one of the greatest athletic careers in the history of Sycamore athletics.
Hutson won her first NCAA title indoors in 2009, and she added the 2009 outdoor title and 2010 indoor title.
But the 2010 outdoor season was filled with adversity all the way through her victory Friday at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Quad and hamstring injuries also plagued her early in the spring, limiting her workouts.
Then Hutson’s college career came dangerously close to ending at the Billy Hayes Invitational at IU on May 7. Attempting to approach a new NCAA all-time record after already moving into third all-time, Hutson’s pole snapped, creating a bloody aftermath that put defending her NCAA title in jeopardy.
Hutson suffered a laceration that went from the webbing of her left hand down to the bottom of the palm.
Hutson didn’t compete again until the NCAA preliminary round two weeks ago, but all she needed was to clear one jump to reach the NCAA Championships.
ISU’s pole vault coach, Jeff Martin, was at least a little concerned with her lack of high-caliber competition leading up to Eugene.
More adversity hit as soon as the competition opened. The Terre Haute North graduate missed on her first attempt of the evening, forcing her to come from behind.
The fourth victory will always be perceived as the most special by Martin.
“Her first title last year, the indoor title, that will always stick in our minds of being very special, but this last one, with everything she had to go through — not even knowing we’d be able to make the meet or not, and to win it the way she did, is by far the most sweet victory that she had I feel,” Martin said. “For her to be able to win it is just amazing. it doesn’t matter who was coaching her or what, it boils down to her as a competitor. She willed herself to win, and she did.”
Arkansas sophomore Tina Sutej gave Hutson one of her closest battles in the NCAA championships.
With Hutson behind, strategy was involved for Martin and Hutson. When Hutson missed at 14-5 1/4 and Sutej cleared the bar, Martin suggested Hutson pass on that height and go up to 14-7 1/4.
Hutson had two attempts to clear that height and nailed it on her first try. Sutej then passed up to 14-9, and missed both her attempts at that height, giving Hutson the title.
“The experience definitely helps being at that level. It made it a lot easier for me,” Hutson said Saturday in between flights back to Indiana.
Hutson said capping her career off with another title despite the adversity she faced made this one special.
“All of have been a little bit of a battle, but this one was the best. My last one, I wouldn’t have been happy with anything less,” Hutson said. “I got better and more relaxed each year I went.
“Four years ago I would have never thought I would win four national championships. I was just happy to be there.”
Finishing her ISU career at Oregon made for a special atmosphere she can treasure as well.
“It’s an honor to compete at Hayward Field, it’s amazing to compete in that atmosphere,” she said.
While Hutson’s college career is over, she will compete in the USA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa in two weeks.
“After USAs, I’ll take a couple months off,” Hutson said, “and then I’ll start getting back into weights and everything in the fall.”
The nursing student will finalize her bachelor’s degree from Indiana State with an internship at Union Hospital in the fall.
Martin said she’ll be hoping to hire an agent and could sign with a shoe company sometime soon. Martin could continue to coach her or she could opt to go another route as she’ll prepare to make the 2012 U.S. Olympic team that will compete in London.
“She’ll jump in two weeks in Des Moines, we’ll have to wait and see if she’ll have an ISU uniform or if she’ll have a sponsor,” Martin said. “We met with a few agents out there after the competition. There are a few shoe companies very interested.
“She’ll be a major player in women’s pole vaulting in the United States for years to come.”
Top Story 4
Related Photos
-
Kylie Hutson clears the bar during the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Ore. Mike Scott
Discussion
ISU's Hutson reflects on fourth NCAA pole vault championship
- Top Story 4
-
-
Terre Haute native, Rose grad a member of Robonaut 2 development team
Terre Haute native and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology alumnus Kris Verdeyen has taken one small step forward for robotics through February’s launch of the first human-like robot to space to become a permanent resident of the International Space Station.
-
Boot Camp: Deming students prepare for next week's ISTEP test
Do you know the difference between a “hanger” and a “hangar”? Can you quickly solve 9 x 7? Can you write a well-organized essay?
-
Red Cross shelters offer warm place for families
This is not the first time Dorothy Deverick of Terre Haute has needed emergency shelter provided by the Wabash Valley Red Cross.
-
Patriots fall 3-1 to Hamilton Southeastern in 4A softball title game
No, the Terre Haute North vs. Hamilton Southeastern softball game at Ben Davis High School will not end later than the World Cup soccer tournament. That seemed possible after the two high school teams played a half inning Saturday night when inclement weather postponed the contest and they returned to the same field Monday night to play into the bottom of the fourth inning before heavy rain struck again.
-
IHSAA Class 4A softball championship: Patriots’ game postponed after nearly 4 innings
The Indiana High School Athletic Association seemed to get it right Monday night.
Although the Terre Haute North softball team and its many fans will be inconvenienced by yet another trip to Ben Davis for the Class 4A state championship — 5 p.m. today, everyone hopes — the postponement Monday at the midpoint of the title game against Hamilton Southeastern couldn’t be avoided. -
ISU's Hutson reflects on fourth NCAA pole vault championship
Kylie Hutson thrives under pressure. She proved that again, capping one of the greatest athletic careers in the history of Sycamore athletics.
-
Riverton Parke softball looking for redemption at state
Nobody from the Riverton Parke softball team used the word “revenge” this week when discussing Saturday’s opponent in the Class A state finals at Ben Davis’ field in Indianapolis.
-
Country star Josh Gracin to top summer music lineup at Fairbanks Park
Music on the riverside is nothing new in Terre Haute.
The concept, carried out most often at the Fairbanks Park amphitheater on the banks of the Wabash River, hit high gear during the past decade. Nationally known artists such as Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, America, Monkees lead singer Davy Jones, The Association, Gary Puckett and Sawyer Brown all took the stage during festivals there. It’s also home to the Terre Haute Community Band on selected nights each summer. -
GOP taps opponent to face Kersey
Lacking a primary election candidate, the Indiana State Republican Party elected Alan Morrison in a June 7 caucus to run against incumbent Rep. Clyde Kersey, D-Terre Haute, in the Nov. 2 general election for House District 43.
-
North first, followed by South, Northview at golf sectional
Terre Haute North’s boys team had been playing its best golf at the end of the season, and the Patriots reached a record peak Monday in the Owen Valley Sectional played at Rolling Meadows.
-
Plaque honors legacy of Mordecai ‘Three-finger’ Brown
Fred Massey sat amid the small crowd with pride, remembering stories his uncle had told him.
“I’ve got a lot of fond memories of him coming over to our house,” the 85-year-old Massey said of his great-uncle, Mordecai “Three-finger” Brown. -
Dramatic rally for South tennis at State Finals
Anyone looking for the low point of the Terre Haute South girls high school tennis season could have found it slightly before 4:30 p.m. Friday at Park Tudor.
-
Retiring Vigo County teacher looks back on career
As his final day of teaching drew to a close, Honey Creek Middle School teacher John Treager received a group hug from several of his sixth-grade students.
-
David Behrs believes his tenure at The Woods College as been successful
David Behrs believes much has been accomplished during his three-year tenure as president of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.
-
North Central softball pounds out 15 hits, gets four-hitter from Scott to reign in Class A regional
Scoring a run an inning brings about a high probability of placing a softball team in the victory column. Tacking on a three-spot in the sixth inning as insurance also helps the probability factor for winning. North Central did the former in the game’s first four innings, assuming a 4-0 lead, and the latter in the sixth inning to apply the coup de grace.
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Franchitti’s strong team helped lead to 500 victory
Another Indianapolis 500 is history and we now have another multi-race winner in the event.
Dario Franchitti won because he had a fast car — “It was a hand full, but it was a fast hand full,” he said — and because his team did a good job on the pit stops and in managing race strategy. -
South tennis heading back to state
It was only fitting Saturday afternoon that seniors Emma Bilyeu and Mallory Metheny would be deciding the Jasper Semistate high school tennis match between Terre Haute South and Evansville Memorial.
-
Redevelopment commission acquires more of former Coke & Carbon plant site
A brownfield site that once housed the former Terre Haute Coke & Carbon plant will soon be under the single ownership of the Terre Haute Redevelopment Commission.
-
Indiana State University eyes possible large enrollment growth
Freshman enrollment at Indiana State University could increase substantially this fall, based on some promising indicators in applications and admissions to-date.
-
Wabash Valley has no shortage of ways to get involved in gardening
So you like to get your hands dirty? Does the smell of fresh dirt make you say “aaahhh!”? It’s the time of year when many Wabash Valley residents begin thinking of gardening. And it’s fitting.
-
Low vision assistance showcased at Expo
A statewide network of support agencies gathered in Terre Haute on Wednesday, showcasing their offerings for those with disabilities.
-
CBI Tournament: ISU can’t get out of gate against SLU
The Indiana State men’s basketball program waited nine long years to play a postseason game.
The wait to see how competitive the Sycamores would be in their postseason return didn’t take nearly as long. Saint Louis dominated ISU from the opening tip and cruised to a 63-54 victory in the opening round of the College Basketball Invitational at Chaifetz Arena on Tuesday. -
New circulation director brings passion for industry to Tribune-Star
Josh Harmon spent 15 years working in the circulation department at the Champaign News Gazette.
Now, he’s bringing his experience – and enthusiasm – to the Tribune-Star, where he began his duties Monday as the new circulation director. -
Terre Haute once built 'finest minor league baseball park'
Only a select few saw Memorial Stadium from Ernie Woods’ vantage. Under the summer sun, he roamed the outfield for the Terre Haute Phillies in 1950. The ballpark turned 25 years old that season.
-
City Council passes ‘responsible bidder’ ordinance
The Terre Haute City Council voted narrowly Thursday night in favor of an ordinance imposing new standards on contractors seeking city construction projects.
-
Robinson’s goal: Bring home an Illinois Class 2A title
Robinson’s runner-up finish in the IHSA single-class tournament in 1916 is the school’s best boys basketball finish.
-
State bound: Robinson handles Decatur St. Teresa 81-60
Meyers Leonard put a huge exclamation point on Robinson’s first trip to the IHSA state finals since 2002 and first ever in the three-class system at the 2A level.
-
Retired ISP trooper Herb Jones jumps in sheriff’s race
A retired Indiana State Police trooper has entered the race as a Republican candidate for the office of Vigo County sheriff.
- ISU baseball opens Bob Warn Field with doubleheader split
-
Newly-formed Christian alternative band gaining attention
Group receives VIP invitation to audition for 'America’s Got Talent' TV show
- More Top Story 4 Headlines
-
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Astronauts Enter World's 1st Private Supply Ship
Today in History
Shell Readies Arctic Drill Ship
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Raw Video: Wildfire Burns 110 Square Miles
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Wild weather for Memorial Day weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
