http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/sp...ts&oref=slogin

This is an interesting interview with Jen.

Her main competition is a Russian with state backing, with a huge facility, enterage, and coaches. Jen is working out of a quonset hut, jumping out of the weeds.

Let's all hope Jen brings home the gold for the USA.

Neat link. :bigthumbsup:

[villages07]

There was also a small picture of her in the latest Sports Illustrated magazine...highlighting her as key performer for US track and field.

[Shirleevee]

Great story, thanks!

[redwitch]

It never dawned on me that upper New York would be a strange place to train for pole vaulting. She has truly undergone some serious hardship to get to the top of her field. I am truly impressed and cannot wait to see her in action. This young woman rocks!

Mc, thank you so much for bringing Jen into our little world. It is always more fun to root for particular athletes in the Olympics and rarely has there been one as deserving as Jen to get those cheers. Whether she gets the gold or even any medal, we'll definitely be her fans.

GO JEN GO! FLY WITH YOUR POLE AND SOAR WITH THE EAGLES!

She has quite a lot of information on her on Google and AOL. http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?...76390970324801

Thanks Tal,
What I love is I played volleyball with this sweetheart from high school through college. She has no ego. Some of the locals still don't know about her because she or her parents never brag. I saw her last summer with her coach and you would never know who she is...She is still more interested in helping others than a thing about herself. Her parents and grandparents just go to work everyday and never mention her. She is just one of the family. I try to tell people and they have never heard of her or her family.

Point being...you can come from a humble background with no money and become a world champion through talent and hard, hard work. Plus your goal can still be heping others. :bigthumbsup:

Originally Posted by mcelheny

Thanks Tal,
What I love is I played volleyball with this sweetheart from high school through college. She has no ego. Some of the locals still don't know about her because she or her parents never brag. I saw her last summer with her coach and you would never know who she is...She is still more interested in helping others than a thing about herself. Her parents and grandparents just go to work everyday and never mention her. She is just one of the family. I try to tell people and they have never heard of her or her family.

Point being...you can come from a humble background with no money and become a world champion through talent and hard, hard work. Plus your goal can still be heping others. :bigthumbsup:

That's really nice to hear, mcelheny. She sounds like someone we should root for.

bump