Amanda Hotaling North Baltimore
Personal Bests
- 200 Meter Dash 28.40
- 300 Meter Hurdles 49.25
- 5000 Meter Run 21:45.97
- 55 Meter Hurdles 9.94
- Pole Vault 12-3
North Balitmore's Amanda Hotaling is one of Ohio's premier valulters. As a D3 vaulter, she finished just ahead of her rival and friend, Ellie Braidic of Pandora-Gilboa, winning the State D3 Chamionship in her freshman season with a vault of 11-08. As a sophmore, she vaulted 12-03 finsihing 2nd to Braidic. In the recent OATCCC Indoor Championshps she vaulted 11-6, edging Braidic for first. She is one of only three returning girl vaulters in the State that are over 12-00 in all three divisions and her sights are set on the 13-00 mark.
OHRunners interviewed Amanda and asked her some of the same questions that were asked of Ellie Braidic in our recently posted interview. They both have strong gymnastics backgrounds having competed on the same Findlay team for 9 years. They both have strong work ethics and both have their sites set on vaulting 13-00 this year. A friendship and a rivalry that should push them both beyond the 13-00 mark, and they are only Juniors.
OHRunners: Amanda, thanks for taking the time to talk with us. You are one of Ohio's premier girls vaulters. We recently interviewed Ellie Braidic, a freind, competitor and rival of yours. You have very similar backgrounds and come from schools only 26 miles apart. I thought that it would be interesting to ask you questions similar to those that we asked Ellie.
As a young girl you were a gymnast. It seems that gymnastics is a perfect precursor for one becoming a vaulter. Coordination, strength, flexibility, discipline and spacial awareness. Certainly the skills and attributes required of a top vaulter. When did you first get involved in Track? What events did you participate in and when did you first start vaulting?
Amanda: I first got involved with track in junior high. It had always looked fun to me and I love to run so I figured it would be my thing. I participated in the 100, 200, 100 hurdles and the 200 hurdles. I am a sprinter, so anything sprint wise was my favorite. I first started vaulting two days before my last junior high track meet, which was our conference meet. I learned the basics on Sunday, practiced on Monday, and went on to win our conference on Tuesday. It was insane!
OHRunners: What attracted you to vaulting?
Amanda: At first nothing really attracted me to pole vault. We didn't have pole vault at my school so I didn't really know anything about it. My parents and previous track coaches encouraged me to try it because of my gymnastics background. After learning it and about it, what I was attracted to was the adrenaline rush. Flying through the air weightless is truly amazing and a rare feeling that not everyone gets to experience.
OHRunners: Where did you take gymnastics?
Amanda: I started competing gymnastics at Gold Medal in Findlay and then at Halker's Gold in Ottawa.
OHRunners: For how long and what Level did you compete at?
Amanda: I did gymnastics for 9 years total and competed for 5yrs. I was a Level 7.
OHRunners: You participated in this indoor season. Where do you practice?
Amanda: I practice at Altitude Headquarters in Bellevue on Wednesdays and Sundays and sometimes practice at the University of Findlay. I’m a member of the vault club at Altitude.
OHRunners: Who coaches or works with you at the University of Findlay?
Amanda: Usually my vault coach from Liberty Benton, Tim DeCooman. My mom also coaches me during most of the outdoor season since Tim is with his school at meets. Tim and Sean Beamer, who is the head coach and owner of Altitude headquarters, are the two individuals who have had the most influence on my technique and vaulting success. Without them and my mom Cyndi, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I owe it all to them. At Altitude everyone becomes a big family and not only helps each other out, but are very encouraging as well.
OHRunners: What is a typical week of training for you?
Amanda: During the indoor season I usually only get 2-3 days of practice during a normal week, so I usually go a good two weeks of that before I do a competition on the weekend. Then the cycle repeats again along with some lifting and running on the off days.
OHRunners: How much time do you spend on running, weight training, technique and vaulting?
Amanda: I spend a lot of time during the indoor season working on my run and technique. Pretty much going through and fixing everything. The indoor season for me is a great way to fix my problems and prepare for the outdoor fresh. I am working on incorporating more weight training into my workouts during this outdoor season.
OHRunners: What does your weight training consist of?
Amanda: It mainly consists of working on my upper body strength, along with legs and core. I use weights but I also do things with just my own body weight.
OHRunners: What other events are you competing in for North Baltimore?
Amanda: In the outdoor season I compete in many events such as the 100, 200, 4x200, 300 hurdles, and the 4x400 (not all in the same meet of course since you can only compete 4 events). I am from a small school, so everyone does everything pretty much. In the indoor season I only compete pole vault.
OHRunners: I also see that you ran Cross Country. How would you compare the effort involved in running Cross Country compared to that of Vaulting?
Amanda: Just like in cross country, with vaulting, you have to work extremely hard and practice to get better. Cross country taught me to always keep going and stay focused. There are many days when the weather isn't great, but you keep practicing and going anyway because you have the goal of getting better and working hard to achieve that.
OHRunners: How do you feel that Cross Country helped you prepare for the Indoor Season?
Amanda: It helped a lot to get me ready for indoor endurance wise. With vaulting, you have to be strong and able to keep going for long periods of time.
OHRunners: Your biggest competitor is Ellie Braidic of Pandora. Pandora is just 26 miles from North Baltimore. You finished just ahead of her in your freshman season as D3 State Champion and in essence tied with her last Spring at State. Also, you recently edged her to win the Indoor State championships. What is your relationship with Ellie?
Amanda: I have actually known Ellie for years because we use to compete gymnastics together. We don't get to see each other a lot anymore, but when we do at meets, we talk and use each other to push ourselves even more. It’s a good rivalry.
OHRunners: What pole are you using now? What length? Are you using several different poles depending on weather conditions?
Amanda: Right now I am vaulting on 13 foot poles and working on getting some 13' 7 poles in practice. I use a lot of different poles depending on the weather conditions. Weather plays a huge part in vaulting. I use the smaller poles on those days when weather just doesn't want to cooperate, and use my bigger poles when it does.
OHRunners: What motivates Amanda? How would you describe yourself as a competitor?
Amanda: Many things motivate me, but the main one is accomplishing my goals of going higher and continuing this through college. I am my biggest critic and there is nothing I want more than to achieve my dreams and goals. Seeing that big picture ahead of you is enough to motivate anyone, knowing what you are doing is all worth it. It is hard to describe myself as a competitor only because I just can't put it into just one word. I am very driven, passionate, determined and faithful.
OHRunners: Faithful?
Amanda: I use the word faithful, but I guess you could say committed. I give 110% in everything I do.
OHRunners: What do you like about vaulting? What do you dislike?
Amanda: I love the feeling of a job well done after clearing a new height at a meet, but I don't like how I put too much pressure on myself in order to get there. I am definitely my biggest critic and always hope to do my best.
OHRunners: How do you mentally prepare for a competition? Do you visualize your vaults?
Amanda: I prepare myself by thinking of what my job is that day and seeing myself achieve it. But then I clear my head. I am much more relaxed when I don't think about what I have to do before I do it. I think about other things like school, so I don't worry or psych myself out.
OHRunners: What are your goals for this season?
Amanda: I hope to break the boy’s pole vault record at my school, which is 12'8", and clear 13'!
OHRunners: Will we see a 13’ vault this season? What will it take to accomplish it?
Amanda: I really hope to clear 13' this year. That is my goal to get 13' this year. So yes. I am going to work hard to achieve this, but if it doesn't happen, I know I put up a good fight.
OHRunners: Thank you Amanda. We will look forward to watching you vault this season and to getting over the 13-00 mark.