Vaulting Onto the National Stage

A high school coach recalls the road to the trials for steeple standout Mason Cathey

May 15, 2012

My first sighting of Mason Cathey is burned on my retina like a sunspot. It was February of 1997, and it was my first day as volunteer pole vault coach at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida. I was standing near the first turn of the track when this spry, blonde,14-year old girl raced by. What stood out about her—other than the fact she was 50 meters ahead of everyone else—was her form. Most girls, for whatever reason, waddle when they run—their arms swing across their body instead of forward—but not Mason. Her running stride was more like Bob Hayes, with the powerful hip torque, equating to a stride length that was not indicative of her 5’ 6” height.

“Who is that?” I asked of no one in particular as I stood in awe in the high jump area. A teammate of hers standing nearby heard, looking at me like I’d just asked what day it was, and replied, “that’s Mason Cathey!”

I’d soon come to know the name well, and, if her plan comes to fruition, the nation will also know it after the U.S. track trials this June. Cathey has qualified for the trails in the 3000m steeple, and intends to be in the top three in Eugene.

"When I moved to Indianapolis in 2008 to train I told myself I’d give it two years and not focus on the Olympics and then re-evaluate," Cathey admits. "In 2010, I’d improved, but I hadn’t figured out how to rise up at the big meets and I knew I had more in me. I was doing the running, but I hadn’t worked on the weight-lifting and extra stuff.”

The Extra Stuff
Fortunately for me, back in 1997, Cathey, even as a freshman, was already doing the “extra stuff.” In addition to the 800m,1600m, 300m hurdles, 4 x 400m, and 4 x 800m, Cathey also pole-vaulted. Sure, she could do all those track events, but was it really necessary, after a long day at the track, to go to a dance class? My only problem with her then was she was too busy. Fourteen years later, I finally brought it up.

“I think dancing kept me from getting injured,” she said as she leaned forward, respectful of my age and our history, but not backing down from my question. And why should she? She has a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise & Sports science and a Master’s in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, both from the University of Florida, where she ran collegiately. “My high school background—pole vault, basketball, dance with all the extra stretching, having some speed—has helped me stay healthy. If you’re looking for someone to do the steeple they need to be not injury-prone and athletic.”

Bishop Kenny won the state cross country meet with her leading the pack for most of the four years. There, Cathey was the top finisher as a senior, and in track, she was even more impressive. In her first three years she was state champion in the 800m and she led the team in victories in the 4 x 800 relay as well; she also won the pole vault as a sophomore and the mile as a junior. Additionally, at the end of her prep career she held school records in the pole vault, 400m, 800m, 1600m, 300 hurdles, and several relays. Even though she got mononucleosis her senior year, she was still heavily recruited by most major colleges in the country, and eventually chose the University of Florida.

Her college choice excited me and most of her prep coaches because UF was in Gainesville, only 75 miles from Jacksonville, making it easier for us to keep up with her college career. For the serious track & field enthusiasts back home, Cathey was our shining star-- she was the one who was going to make it big. In the 60- year history of the school, most alumni would agree she’s the best athlete—male or female—and that she had the best chance of becoming our first Olympian.