By
Francisco Merced
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Pole vaulter Andrea Dutoit wants to rewrite UA records. The problem is she already holds them.
The senior - who married former UA pole vaulter Jeff Dutoit in August - said one of her goals this year will be to break pole vault records that bear her maiden name of Neary.
"I want them to read Dutoit (instead of Neary)," she said.
The pole vault portion of the Arizona men's and women's track and field indoor season begins today when the group visits Reno, Nev. to compete in the Pole Vault Summit.
Leading the way for the Wildcat women will be Dutoit, a two-time All-American.
"I've been jumping real well all week in practice," Dutoit said.
The event anticipates topping the over 600 participants who took part in last year's meet. This annual event features competition ranging from the high school level through the professional ranks.
"Since it's the Pole Vault Summit, everyone in the nation is coming," Dutoit said. "(The) 'who's who' in pole vault will be there."
On the women's side, the spotlight will shine on Stacy Dragila, who enters as the reigning Olympic Champion. Women's pole vault was held as a medal event for the first time in Olympic history this past summer.
Joining Dutoit will be sophomores Phyllis Brown and Sarah Jacobs and freshman Amy Linnen.
The Wildcat men will be sending two new recruits in freshman Chris Chappell and Kevin Opalka. For Chappell, his first competition as a Wildcat will serve as sort of a homecoming.
Chappell hails from Carson City, Nev. and has been active in pole vaulting since he was very young. His father, Steve Chappell, is one of the directors of the annual event.
"I've been going to this event for as long as I can remember," Chappell said. "I'm real excited to be jumping in it at the college level."
While this marks the first time at the collegiate level for Chappell, his familiarity with the event, he says, will give him an edge.
"It makes me feel more comfortable because I know how the format is," Chappell said. "I have an inside track because I've seen the development of the event."
Alongside Chappell will be Opalka, who plans to use his teammates' experience in adjusting to the unfamiliar settings.
"It's going to be helpful having someone who has done this before," Opalka said.
The vaulters are considered a strength for the Wildcats this year on teams that are ranked 11th and 12th in the nation for the men's and women's respectively.
The rest of the Wildcat team will start their season next week at the Wisconsin Invitational.
