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nicosia: The summer of 2002, for Junior Olympics; although I never started track at high school level until the eighth grade.
scrunners: How did you do during your first meet? Explain.
nicosia: In a Junior Olympics meet I won the turbo javelin throw. In my first high school meet, I don't remember how I did, but it was a lot of fun.
scrunners: Did you always focus on the pole vault?
nicosia: No. I did not even start to pole vault until the summer after my eighth grade year. I used to do the long jump, triple jump and other running events, but now I just focus on the 4x100-meter relay and the pole vault.
scrunners: Does or did anyone else in your family compete in track and field?
nicosia: My dad and Uncle Jesse both did track and field when they were in high school.
scrunners: What do you feel is your biggest achievement in track and field?
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Full Name: Allison "Allie" Ashley Nicosia Academic Interest: Medical field Date of Birth: November 30, 1990 Hobbies: Sports, hanging out with friends, and just having a great time! Brothers/Sisters: 1 brother Robby and 1 sister Shelby Personal Bests: PV-12 ft. |
scrunners: Did you compete in any indoor meets prior to this season? If so, when and where and how did you do?
nicosia: I competed unattached in an open indoor meet at USC and I did fairly well, I am pretty sure that if I remember correctly I got sixth (place).
scrunners: How would you rate your season so far?
nicosia: This season is by far the best! I am very excited by how well I am doing.
scrunners: What would you say is the most prestigious athletic event you have competed in?
nicosia: The biggest meet that I have been in so far would probably be State Qualifier and State last year.
scrunners: What did you experience at this event?
nicosia: Well, I had Chase Shealy there to help throughout the entire meet and he kept telling me to ask other people if they had a pole that I could use because I was blowing through mine after my first jump. Everyone was very helpful and did the best that they could to help me. It was over all a great experience.
scrunners: What are you looking to achieve in school and athletics prior to graduation?
nicosia: In school before I graduate, I would like to move up higher in my class ranking. For track I would like to beat the state record for pole vaulting, then continue working hard increase my personal record. I would like to help to increase the interest in pole vaulting by students at my school.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
nicosia: In a coach I want someone who is always going to push me to my fullest potential; just as important is a coach who has a passion for teaching the sport. A coach will find heart and determination in return. They will also find someone who will NEVER give up.
scrunners: Have you ever thought about coaching track and field? If so, what level and why?
nicosia: Not really, although it would be fun. I would probably work better with little kids because I have always enjoyed working with kids.
scrunners: What kind of training week do you have during the beginning of the season, middle of the season and close to the end?
nicosia: In the beginning of the season, we do lots and lots of intervals, plyometrics, and other strength training on a daily basis. In the middle of the season, we still do about the same amount of plyometrics, but add a sprint workout. Near the end is about the same as the middle except when we are getting ready for invitationals on Saturdays. Then our plyometrics take place earlier in the week but our workouts pretty much stay the same. Throughout the season I work out with the sprinters daily and I only vault two times a week.
scrunners: What were you thinking going into the Coaches Classic meet?
nicosia: Going into the Coaches Classic I just wanted to PR. Just like any other meet. That is always my attitude going into a meet and I also like to see how well I am doing.
scrunners: How did you feel after winning the pole vault at Coaches Classic?
nicosia: After winning the pole vault I wasn't satisfied. Although I was happy about winning, for me it doesn't seem like a win unless I have done my best! Looking back at the meet I really did well, because I figured out that my pole was too small. In the pole vault if you are blowing through poles it is a very good sign, however, it is a costly sign because poles are very expensive.
scrunners: What kind of improvements have you made since Coaches Classic?
nicosia: Since Coaches Classic, I have increased my PR by a foot to 12-feet.
scrunners: What kind of goals do you have for the rest of the season?
nicosia: I would just like to do my best, keep increasing my PR, and win state.
scrunners: What kind of warmups do you undergo prior to an event?
nicosia: I make sure that I do the sprint drills that I have learned and I stretch and I always try to help out my teammates and other people on other teams while I wait for my turn. And I have to try to keep warm while I wait so that I can do well and make my jumps count.
scrunners: What kind of team goals has South Aiken set?
nicosia: Well, we are always working on our relay times, and we are a VERY close team. We also are always shooting to beat our rivals at Aiken High. South Aiken just wants to take as many athletes as they can to the State Qualifier and State meets. We also really want to keep our titles as the Region Champions!
scrunners: What do you remember most from the 2005 season?
nicosia: Several things stand out in my mind from the 2005 season. I remember getting our team disqualified at regions by stepping out of my lane before the race was over. I also remember placing third in state and setting the school record in the pole vault. I also remember having fun with a close team and very dedicated coaches. This was all really exciting to me as a freshman.
scrunners: Does South Aiken or yourself have any rivals? How did these rivals develop and when do they become most intense?
nicosia: South Aiken has always been big rivals with Aiken High, mostly because they are right across town. The biggest rivalry is shown during football and basketball seasons. In track the rivalry is most intense during the regions meet. But there really is no rivalry between me and any of my friends on the other team. While I am waiting for my turn to vault I am always trying to help people on all teams.
scrunners: What kind of goals have you set for this season?
nicosia: In the beginning of the season my goal was to get anywhere between 11'6" and 12'6". I am already very excited because I am in the middle of my range! I just need to keep training and stay focused and I know I can do it! I also want our 4x100 team to get an awesome time and to beat the school record. We are close!
scrunners: How have you seen the pole vault event in track and field grow in the state?
nicosia: The interest in pole vaulting has definitely grown. People see the athletes vaulting and they say "hey I bet I could do that!" and they give it a try. I know that my friend Trey and I have helped to increase the interest at our school this year by setting school records. The local newspaper writes articles about track meets and includes vault results.
scrunners: What would you recommend to other vaulters to help achieve their best in the sport?
nicosia: Well, I recommend that they stay in top physical condition. They should workout with their sprinters and only vault a few times a week. If your school does not have a pole vault coach, contact other schools or universities to find pole vault clinics or camps. A great resource that I use is Carolina Extreme Pole Vault (carolinaextreme.com). I have also attended a great track and field camp at USC in the summer. Always be willing to listen and learn -- as you set and meet your pole vault goals, you need to keep listening to the coaches that helped you to reach those goals.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? If so, what occurred and how did you stay motivated and recover from this injury?
nicosia: Just minor injuries, like rolled ankles and strains, but that doesn't stop me. I just try to ice it and my mom will normally put the icy hot on it for me. All I keep in my mind is the faster I get my problem fixed, the faster I get to get back out there. This thought always keeps me going.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
nicosia: I would most definitely without a doubt cure cancer for good. Because when I was 10 my brother Robby died from cancer (he was 12 at the time); and no one, no matter the circumstances, should ever have to go through with that kind of pain. and no child should EVER have to suffer that way.