Record vault for Owen

The Daily Inter Lake

MOSCOW - University of Idaho senior pole vaulter Melinda Owen set a school record, a Western Athletic Conference record and an NCAA-leading height of 14 feet 51/4 inches last Saturday at the Vandal Invitational, the final home meet of her college career.

Owen, a 2007 NCAA All-American and five-time WAC champion, is the daughter of Bob and Sandy Owen of Polson.

An elementary education major, she was a three-sport athlete for the Lady Pirates, earning all-state volleyball and track honors. She was also a Montana Class A state champion in pole vault, javelin and 1,600 relay.

Her parents, an aunt and uncle and two of her cousins were on hand last weekend for her record vault.

"There was a pretty good little family following," Bob Owen said.

She first cleared 13-7 3/4 to break her own school record from a week ago, then clearned 13-11 3/4, then 14-3 1/4 before finally soaring over the 14-5 1/4 mark.

"It was thrilling. It was a rush. She's been kind of knocking on the door for a long time. She's fought injuries.

"I knew she had it in her and it was neat to see her put it together," he said.

The Owen family was right next to the action.

"We were right over by the pit. There were some tears, especially out of her mother," he said.

"She about bowled her coach (Idaho assistant Jason Graham) over," Owen laughed.

"It felt really neat for her coach. He has put in a ton of time with her. It's neat to see, from being a coach myself. I know how that feels," he said.

"Now if she can just continue for a couple more weeks," her dad said.

The WAC conference tournament is this coming weekend in Boise, Idaho.

And then there are the USA Olympic Trials this summer in Eugene, Ore.

Owen's height meets the USA Olympic Trials 'B' standard, which doesn't guarantee a spot in this summer's competition, but since the height is the fourth-best in the United States this season, chances are pretty good that she'll be in Eugene, in June to fight for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. She's the third Vandal this season to hit an Olympic Trial qualifying mark and the first on the women's side.

That's caused a bit of a rift in the Owen family.

Several weeks ago, when Sandy suggested buying Olympic trial tickets, Bob decided they'd be jumping the gun.

"Now everything is sold out, tickets, hotels, " he laughed. "I'll sleep in a ditch."

And is she makes it to the Olympics?

"I would figure out a way," he said.