Inspiration: Penn Dual at CU 2001
It was my last home meet of my career, the band came over after CU beat Syracuse in lacrosse at Schoellkopf Field along with a bunch of fans. The Friday before, I had been asked to speak to some alumni supporters at a catered dinner, I said to "Come on over to the track Saturday, I'm going to break the high jump record" (I was really feeling positive, as I had just seen the video from HUGE 6'8" clearances at Sea Rays...

I was jumping great first attempt clearances from 1.96-2.06, then 2.10 second attempt and in competition Adam Chubb and I were both trying to set records, and they were 2.14m, so we opted for 2.15. (Coach Taylor was instrumental in this, as he believed in it, I asked if I should go for 2.14 as my previous pr was 2.10). The first attempt I was right there, and just knicked it off, I just needed to get my toes off the ground. That was the secret, not dragging on the right (I learned this from that same video at Sea Rays, and had been working on it). Second attempt, I went over the bar, landed in the pit and shouted, and I've never felt something so amazing in my life. My knees went week, and I was taken off the mat by my training partner Matt Sarli, and carried off my Jeremy Blanchet.

I was shaking and exhausted from the adrenaline. I got a big hug from coach Taylor and never understood what tears of joy were 'till that instant. Coach Taylor, snapped me out of it with, "You've still got a competition to win" and I took a jog after splashing some water on my face...the 4x400 was happening at the time, so it was the last event of the day...(and it was very close or maybe even tied, I can't remember).

At the time, there were no NCAA regionals, it was only provisional and automatic qualification (you guys are so lucky now) 2.18 was provisional and 2.23 automatic. I tried for 2.18 and was so emotionally exhausted that I didn't get over, Chubb did, and on the day I set Cornell's record, we lost the meet, and I got second in the men's high jump.

It's the single most amazing thing I have ever experienced. It was the best technique, I felt like there was a string coming out of my chest, and I was ripped off the ground straight into the air and it was effortless...no drag, just a huge plant, and enjoy the ride...

I want that feeling again.
- posted by Pete Ippel @ 8:57 AM