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March 15, 2010

Alternative spring break: ISU’s Kylie Hutson didn’t spend the week on the beach, she won another indoor national title

Craig Pearson The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Kylie Hutson would have enjoyed a week on the beach like many of her senior classmates at Indiana State had last week.

But the spring break destination of Fayetteville, Ark., for this Terre Haute native provided plenty of memories.

Let’s evaluate how Hutson did when it came to the spring break essentials.

• Enjoy a long road trip with some old friends?

Hutson, who won the NCAA indoor national championship Saturday, was joined by Indiana State teammates Lauren Martin (5th in triple jump) and Erica Moore (9th in 800 meters) as All-Americans. That trio led the Sycamores to a tie for 17th in the team standings with Villanova at 14 points. That team finish is the best for ISU track since Holly Hyche swept the 100- and 200-meter dash to put the Sycamores in 9th place.

• Making new friends?

If you count the thousands of people inside Randal Tyson Center clapping in unison as Hutson prepared to sprint down the runway for her attempts at a third straight national championship in the NCAA women’s pole vault competition, Hutson has her classmates beat.

“Obviously, being the defending champion, the announcer would announce she was on the runway ready to go,” said Jeff Martin, the pole vault coach at Indiana Stat. “There was more and more interest, then she wanted to get a clap going.”

The crowd was also on board for Oregon’s Gergel, who even helped Hutson elevate her performance.

“I love battling,” she said. “[Gergel] helped me jump so high today. I’m really glad she was there with me.

• Trying something new and thrilling? Some spring break vacationers surely had opportunities at bungee jumping or perhaps a jet ski for the first time.

Hutson’s adrenaline rush came from an event she’s practiced over and over. But she’s taking it to a new level. She’s been pursuing the all-time NCAA indoor mark of 14-feet-11 for the past three competitions so it’s not an entirely new experience, but the chance to give it a try with another competitor was an invigorating new experience.

Hutson and Gergel went after the all-time national mark, the Sycamore winning the battle and settling for the third best ever height indoors by going over a bar set at 14-9.

“It was really cool to hear everybody in the stands clapping for us to clear that collegiate record,” Hutson said. “It was just insane, it was like the whole stadium was rooting us on.”

“It was just an insane competition. We battled back and forth for a good while. She PRd by a good 10 cm so she definitely helped me jump a little higher with all the adrenaline.

• Spring break can provide some overwhelming moments, whether it’s a crazy night on the town or a troublesome situation.

Keeping a level head can be key.

It’s awfully hard to beat Hutson in this department too. She fell behind the Ducks’ vaulter, but strung together three straight successful jumps to defend her title.

“She has an amazing, unflappable approach mentally. She never loses her cool,” said ISU head women’s coach John Gartland.

• Spring break for a college senior can be one last hurrah for some before a life in the real world begins — so expectations are high as far as having a good time. A good week can depend on a quality plan for making the week reach its potential.

Hutson had high expectations, for sure, even on a target on her back after winning the last two titles. She also had the top mark all season long minus a few days when an Arkansas athlete took over the lead.

“I think she continued to do that and did a really good job Saturday of staying within herself, staying composed even when she was behind. She has a level head, able to take the pressure in, and use it to her advantage.

• Simple fun and relaxation?

“I went into the meet to have some fun and clear some high bars and relax a little,” said Hutson, who clearly achieved some high bars by setting a personal record.

• Prepare for life as a professional? Surely there’s at least a handful of ISU students who took the opportunity to send resumes to potential employers to seek work.

Hutson didn’t do that exactly, but her success shows a professional career is on the horizon when she completes school. She will target the 2012 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., but she’ll have to continue to train and improve to make the Olympics. No former Sycamore has ever made the U.S. Olympic team.

“I have to keep training, get stronger, I have to improve my technique,” Hutson said. “Just keep plugging away, day by day.”

Hutson could continue to train at ISU after graduation, but other options might present themselves. Her potential is obvious.

“She has stopped surprising me,” Martin said. “I don’t want to sound corny, but anything’s possible for her at this point. She has that fire in her eye. She’s on the verge of [being an Olympics caliber athlete]. She has a ways to go, to be the top American. She’ll definitely try to take a crack at Olympic team in 2012.”

Vacations on the beach will have to wait until summer. Hutson will take a week to rest before preparing for the outdoor track season and a fourth straight NCAA title. The outdoor national record of 15-1 could also be within reach.

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