Aiming for new heights

Some twenty-some years ago, a small Oklahoma high school produced an undersized athlete with an oversized heart and an unquenchable desire to succeed. This young athlete's dream was to soar through the air as high as he possibly could. Over 19 plus feet later, he fulfilled his dream. Along the way, he became the absolute best in his craft, setting not only American records, but world records. He achieved fame and notoriety, traveled around the world numerous times and had the opportunity to meet influential people. He enjoyed events that most of us can only dream about. Many sports fans may not be aware that this native Oklahoman held the world record in the pole vault in 1986 as well as the American pole vault record for nine years from 1985-1994. His highest vault ever was 19 feet, 6.5 inches. Joe Dial, currently the head track coach at Oral Roberts University, is the answer to this trivia question. Now, a generation later, another athlete from Green Country may be preparing to make his mark in the same event. Stuart Sparks, a senior pole vaulter from Jenks, has started the 2007 track season by aiming for the clouds and trying to follow in Dial's tracks down the runway. Sparks cleared 15 feet, one inch (the highest among all Oklahoma high schoolers at press time) at an early season indoor meet and is looking to go even higher. Interestingly, Dial and Sparks got started in vaulting in entirely different circumstances. Dial got his start in pole vaulting innocently enough when his older brother, Rex Dial, the Oklahoma pole vault champion in 1969, broke a pole in competition and, being a good big brother, brought the cast-off pieces home to little brother Joe. Joe started using the broken pole in the family backyard and soon caught the pole vaulting bug big-time. Coached by his dad, who had also vaulted in his day, Joe soon found himself winning meets. Success in the pole vault seemed to come easily to Joe. His list of accomplishments is so impressive it sounds as though they are the product of someone's dream. He was national age group champion in the pole vault at ages 13, 14 and 15. While attending Marlow High School, he set the Oklahoma high school state record at 17 feet, 9.5 inches. He became the first American high school pole vaulter to clear 18 feet. He won six Big 8 pole vaulting titles (three indoor and three outdoor) while competing for Oklahoma State University. He traveled around the world even while he was in high school in order to compete against the world's best. Joe would frequently travel to Europe during the summers while in college to compete, often staying for two months at a time. "I've been to Europe to compete so many times, I quit counting after 30 times," he recalled. Meets in Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Maple Leaf Games in Toronto, Los Angeles, Taiwan, and Tokyo - Joe competed almost everywhere. He also competed in five Olympic qualifying meets (1980, '84, '88, '92 and '96) but unfortunately because of injuries or bad luck, never made an Olympic team. What is the secret for success? "Speed is the key in the vault. If you are fast, your potential is huge. Height also helps. I'm real short for a vaulter. The shorter you are, the faster you have to be and the more coordination you have to have. Plus there is a fear factor." "My dad and I worked hard for me to become as good as I was," Joe recalls. He was an intense student of the event. In an effort to gain any possible advantage, he and his father would insert lights into the shafts of the fiberglass poles to study where the cells were in order to more fully comprehend the mechanics of how the pole would react under the pressure of competition. Later, Joe would even travel to the pole manufacturing facility in Reno, Nevada so he could personally supervise and even contribute his expertise in a hands-on-manner as his poles were being personalized to his exact specifications. What does Joe attribute to attaining success in vaulting? "Fundamentals. It's just like any other sport. You have to master the fundamentals." Dial reflects upon his vaulting career with fond memories. "Vaulting is a lot like life. There are so many ups and downs. But, you know, if given the chance, I would do it all over again." Stuart Sparks started vaulting later in comparison to Joe. While attending ninth grade in New Mexico and going out for track, Sparks was assigned to the pole vault and hurdles. "I just stuck with it and did the best I could." After moving to Jenks prior to his junior year, Sparks came out for track and continued his vaulting career under Jenks head track coach Steve Patterson. "Stuart is a great kid who works hard and is a pleasure to work with. He has a great work ethic and we expect great things from him," said Patterson. David Swezey, who was an 18-foot vaulter back in his days at Oklahoma State, serves as the vault coach for Jenks. Swezey and Patterson were college teammates. Coincidentally, Swezey and Joe Dial both vaulted for OSU when Swezey was a senior and Joe was a freshman. Swezey's son, Matt, a 2005 Jenks grad, was also an accomplished vaulter for the Trojans. Swezey is impressed with Sparks' efforts. "He is an extremely hard worker. He studies a lot of film. He loves the sport and works hard to improve. He runs, lifts, and goes to clinics. He would like to vault all the time if he could," Swezey said. Sparks also competes in the high hurdles and is successful despite usually being the shortest hurdler in any race in which he competes. Sparks explains that hurdling is actually a great cross-training event for the pole vault. Hurdles require a disciplined approach as to the number of steps taken between hurdles. Pole vaulting requires a similar disciplined approach as to the steps taken in approaching the pole vault box. Sparks has his sights set on clearing 16 feet this year. "If I can get on some new sticks and find the right pole for me, I would like to go for 16 feet this year." Sparks has cleared 15 feet several times this year, including at the Jesuit Sheaner Relays in Dallas and at the prestigious Texas Relays at the University of Texas. At the Texas Relays, Sparks faced some of the nation's best competition. Maston Wallace from Clear Brook, Texas, currently the national leader in the high school pole vault with an indoor vault of 17 feet, 5 inches, won the competition clearing 16 feet, 6 inches. Sparks tied for ninth place with his vault of 15 feet. Sparks not only has his sights set high athletically, but also academically. He is hoping to receive an appointment to the Air Force Academy. "It's an opportunity to receive a great education and receive military training. They have good athletics programs like pole vaulting, plus when you come out of college, you have the security of having a job," Sparks observes. Spark's off-season conditioning includes running, push-ups, sit-ups, gymnastics work, pull-up bar, and a lot of weight-lifting. As for words of wisdom for future young vaulters, Sparks offers this advice: "You must be 100% committed to the event in order to be successful. You must get your strength and speed built up. And lastly, you have to have some nerve," Sparks said. "Sometimes, when you're jumping with a new pole, your heart can get to racing and it can be nerve-racking. But the feeling after you've cleared the bar is indescribable." Sparks is joined this season by fellow Trojan vaulters David Rolenac and Jacob Murphy in their quest to help Jenks win another state track championship.