Former USD Pole Vaulter Emily Grove heads to Olympic Trials healthy and focused

VERMILLION, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -The Olympic Trials are in Eugene, OR later this week and there will be a trio of USD alumni and an assistant coach trying to earn a spot on the team that is headed to Paris later in July.

Among them is 31 year old pole vaulter Emily Grove who knows there’s lots of competition. So what does the world’s 18th-ranked pole vaulter do to keep herself calm before such a big event?

Former USD Pole Vaulter Emily Grove says, “Really just focusing on cues. I try not to think about the meet that it is because you’re already hyped up. So I try to stay focused on what it is you’re trying to do and that’s how I always jump my best. And Derek (Miles) is a veteran at it. I mean he’s gone through it himself and he’s really good at reeling us in and locking us back in.”

The women’s pole vault competition begins Friday night with qualifying. Emily told me she is still vaulting because she’s been healthy the last couple of years and as a result her jumps have been much better. Like in Eugene a few weeks ago where she won the event at the Prefontaine Classic.