| Mack back? |
| 25 June 2009 | |||
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Paul Heyse Tim Mack isn’t the favorite to win the men’s pole vault at Saturday’s U.S.A. Outdoor Track and Field Championships, but he’s fine with that. He knows he’s in the hunt because his season is on the upswing. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist from Westlake is the No. 6 seed. He recently cleared 18-8¼ (5.7 meters) on June 12 to set the San Diego State University Stadium record. That puts Mack right in the thick of things for a chance to earn a spot on the United States’ World team. Last year, 18-8¼ would have got him second at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., same site as the outdoor nationals. On that day, Mack cleared only 18-0½ and tied for sixth. The third and final qualifying berth to the Beijing Olympics was 18-6½. “You just can’t lose hope,” Mack said. “I’m doing the training and it’s been feeling good. It’s just a matter of time.” Mack tied for second with teammate Jeremy Scott at 17-9 at the Prefontaine Classic on June 7 in Eugene. Sweden’s Alhaji Jeng (18-1) was the winner. Four of the seven finalists no-heighted, including 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials winner Derek Miles, who is 13 days younger than the 36-year-old Mack. View complete article at http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com:80/2009/06/24/track-and-field-mack-back-olympic-pole-vault-champ-in-2004-westlakes-tim-mack-expecting-big-things-at-outdoor-championships/
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