Track and Field Journal #2: Chris Stone, Springfield Montco

Chris Stone of Springfield Montco is the reigning indoor state champion in the pole vault and the high jump, and is the reigning outdoor AA champion in the pole vault. Throughout, the season, Stone will lead us through his final high school track and field season. Follow him as he looks to follow up a big 2013-14 with a bang before he starts his collegiate career at Auburn.

In his first entry, Stone writes about the the first month of the season and how his training has been going since the December 30 Burdette Classic


Hey Everyone,

Going into the last month of the Indoor Season, I looked back on the very first meet and smiled, because even though my numbers so far may not show it, I have accomplished more than I had expected so far. To look back on a few meets, I ran my first hurdles race since last indoor where I ran it once as well. I clocked in at an 8.00h during trials and an 8.32 FAT in the finals of the 55 hurdles. My goal going into this meet was to qualify for Meet of Champs, considering I had already made it in the Long Jump, High Jump and Pole Vault. I did just that getting a gold medal and putting myself less than 10 spots out of making the State List.


A few weeks ago at the Robert J. Burdette meet, I decided to do the first High Jump of the year as well as my first Pole Vault using spikes. Unfortunately I caught a bad cold the entire Winter Break leaving me with no energy. I still managed to muscle up a State leading jump in the high jump at 6'6. Although I no-heighted in the pole vault, I knew a few more weeks of rest would do great.


Since those two meets, I have came a long way at practice. I have felt better than ever jumping and had a huge break through this last week in the pole vault. My dad and I set up a calendar for the last month of the season to prepare to peak at the right time. With a few days a week of hard explosive lifting, and running workouts (my first time ever doing running workouts), I feel like I am on the right path to the success I wish to achieve.


In my last journal, I was not quite sure what my goals for the Indoor season would be. After a few months of training I have a better idea, but not just a height or time. Some goals go a little deeper. As I mentioned before, I have qualified for the TFCAofGP Meet of Champs in 4 events. I have decided I will do all 4 in the same day and I believe I can win the 3 field events.


As of right now, my State Ranks are HJ-1 PV-2 LJ-8 and Hurdles-32. After winning two of two events at Penn State last year, I thought I would go even further and add the Long Jump even though it is at the exact same time as Pole Vault. This is a challenge and risk I must take to score more points for my team. With Jhaloni Johnson having graduated, I will need to makeup for those missing 4 points to come away with another top 3 finish as a team at indoor states.


This last week, I received great news. I got a call from my dad informing me I was invited to Pole Vault in the well known Millrose Games at the Armory. I remember going to New York when I was in grade school to watch the Millrose Games when they used to be at Madison Square Garden. It is an honor to be able to compete in such a prestigious meet along side some of the greatest track athletes in the world.


I am extremely excited for this closing month of the season and look forward for the fun to begin.