By CHRISTOPHER FEAVER
Journal Staff
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| SIMON WHEELER/Journal
Staff Nathan Jauvtis goes airborne during the open men's pole vault competition on Day 1 of the annual Empire State Games, being held in Utica and the surrounding area. Jauvtis, a Cornell graduate student who also went to CU as an undergrad, won the event with a leap of 16 feet, 21 inches |
CANASTOTA - Nathan Jauvtis is in his element at the Empire State Games.
Entering this year's open men's pole vault competition, it was almost a foregone conclusion who the winner would be - Jauvtis.
After all, he entered the competition having won the gold in the past two games, setting an ESG record last year by vaulting 17 feet, I inches.
And in this year's Empire State Games trials, Jauvtis, a third-year Ph.D. student at Cornell, set his personal best, clearing 17-2 (he has vaulted 17-6 in practice).
Thursday at Canastota High School, Jauvtis did not disappoint. Playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd that completely encircled the pole vault pit and running lane, Jauvtis easily won his third straight ESG gold medal, clearing 16-3 (4.95 meters).
Though the winning height did not approach his record vault of last year, it easily outdistanced the rest of the field. Second-place Chris Centrich of the Western team, made just 4.50 meters (14-9). Winning the bronze medal was Michael Couch of the Adirondack team. Groton's Matthew Scheffler finished fourth in 4.2 meters (13-6).
Encouraging the crowd to clap in unison during his approach, Jauvtis made three attempts at 16-9, all narrow misses on the windy day that made vaulting difficult, before calling it a day.
"I love the Empire State Games," said the outgoing Jauvtis. "The best I've ever jumped is at the games and the trials. I PR'd (set a personal record) at the trials last year (16-8), PR'd at the games last year and then the PR at (this year's) trials was awesome. I'm a little bit disappointed, but I always have such a great time at these games.
"I try not to let the wind affect me," he said. "But there is always something a little deep down inside, and it does affect you. This wasn't a tough one. But the vault is real mental and you have to stay focused. I try to get the crowd into it and really have fun with it."
Jauvtis, a Cornell graduate three semesters away from a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, almost missed this year's Empire State Games to participate in the Maccabiah Games, an Olympic-style competition hosted by Israel.
"I was all set to go, to represent the U.S. in the pole vault," Jauvtis said. "But with all the craziness going on, the attacks and such, once things started happening in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, where I would be competing, I decided not to go."
Jauvtis only pole vaults about once a week, though he does help coach the Cornell track and field team.
"I'm real lucky to have the opportunity to vault after college," Jauvtis said. "I know some great, great vaulters in college who don't have the chance to do it anymore."
Thursday's gold may the first of a Cornell mechanical engineering double. Jauvtis' boss at Cornell, Charles Williamson, a professor of mechanical engineering, is participating in the laser sailing races at Delta Lake.
"We made a pact that we would both come home with gold medals," Jauvtis said.
In any case, three ESG golds in not enough to satisfy the 23-year-old Jauvtis.
"It's 12 months to next year's (ESG) trials," he said. "I've got to get ready."