Full name: Madison Kocher
Date of birth: December 22, 1990
Brothers/sisters: One sister, Karson
Academic interest: biology
Hobbies: tennis, dance, painting, piano
Personal bests: 10 feet, 9 inches
scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field and why?
kocher: I started to compete in track and field when I was in the seventh grade at the suggestion of my dad who thought the sport might be compatible with my upper body strength.
scrunners: What made you decide to try the pole vault?
kocher: My dad was trying to think about what event I would be best at and he came up with pole vaulting. He called USC who got us connected with my current pole vaulting coach.
scrunners: Do you play other sports or try other events?
kocher: I also play tennis. One of the accomplishments of which I am most proud is when my CTL tennis team won the national championship in Tucson, Ariz. in 2007.
scrunners: Do you have any family members that competed in track and field?
kocher: My dad and my sister Karson.
scrunners: What kind of goals did you have at the start of this season?
kocher: My ultimate goal was to jump 11 feet.
scrunners: What kind of training have you done all season?
kocher: I've mainly only jumped about three or four times a week. My school work has kept me from doing much more.
scrunners: Did your training change any leading up to the state meet?
kocher: I started training a little harder as the state meet approached because I realized I was getting closer to my goal and I really wanted to make it.
scrunners: What does it mean to you about finishing your high school season with a state win and breaking your own state record?
kocher: I honestly am still in shock. This whole season I have only jumped 10'6" once and all the rest of the time have only accomplished 10 feet. I was worried about even being able to tie my record, but I somehow pulled off a couple more inches.
scrunners: How have you seen the level of track and field competition increase of the years, including the progression of girl's pole vault?
kocher: I have seen the level of track and field remain about the same, but the competition has increased a little bit. When I jumped the state record in eighth grade at 7'6," I won by only six inches. Now, a couple SCISA girls are able to jump 7'6" consistantly.
kocher: You have to be a little crazy, very precise, and very patient. A pole vaulter must have a unique personality. Of course, you have to be pretty unique to want to hurl yourself into the air.
scrunners: Going from public to private school meets, do you notice any major differences? Please explain.
kocher: The only major difference is a higher level of competition.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? Please explain.
kocher: This past year I have been fighting off a hip injury which causes a horrible pop everytime I land on it funny or try to do ab workouts (what a bummer).
scrunners: How do you stay motivated during this time?
kocher: The only way to stay motivated is to keep telling yourself you will workout even harder when you are able to get back out on the runway.
scrunners: Do you have any pre-meet traditions?
kocher: Wrestling my poles onto my car and over to the pit.
scrunners: Do you see yourself competing in the sport in the future?
kocher: I would love to continue pole vaulting at the junior olympics this summer.
scrunners: Are you planning to compete at the college level?
kocher: Yes, at Wake Forest.
scrunners: Do you plan on continuing your season over this coming summer?
kocher: Definitely!
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for you?
kocher: In a coach, I look for dedication, patience, and encouragement. I need a coach to look at my vault, tell me exactly what I am doing wrong, and also tell me something that looked good so I can focus on repeating it. I think a coach should build an athlete from the ground up and not start off with the full picture which could discourage the athlete.
kocher: Yes, my sister is hoping to take my place in school competitions and I will help her in anyway I can.
scrunners: How do you see yourself being remembered at Hammond School?
kocher: I see myself being remembered at Hammond as the girl who carried around strange looking sticks on her car.
scrunners: What do you recommend to young athletes to achieve their best in the sport?
kocher: Never give up. Whatever life throws at you, keep doing what you love to do - pole vault. Never think of sports as a pressure, but as a way to escape from it.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
kocher: Fly.