By Melissa Wallace '11
Glory comes in all forms, whether it is small or large, in doses or dabs. But for the person that achieves this glory, the same emotions stir up, causing excitement and happiness and establishing a feeling that is unlike all the rest. It's a feeling that you're on top of the world, bearing nothing but the burden of accomplishment and perseverance on your shoulders. And when that happens, it's as if nothing can ever bring you down.
For junior Tim Blashford (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo), his moment of glory came at the Danny Curran Invitational hosted by Widener University at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium on March 27, 2010. Blashford tied a meet record in the pole vault clearing 14' -5.25”. He matched the record in his final attempt and placed first in the event.
Blashford, who didn't realize he tied the meet record at the time, won a giant rock with the imprint of the invitational name for his accomplishment. The invitational is held in honor of Danny Curran III, who passed away in 2002 and was a pole vaulter at Widener, where he held the school record for some time.
“I really wanted to win that rock,” said Blashford on the win, “And it felt amazing after I did.”
Blashford has a list of other accomplishments under his belt. In his rookie campaign, Blashford placed second at the NJAC Indoor Championships, clearing 4.10 meters. In that same year, at the NJAC Outdoor Championships, Blashford won the pole vault event, clearing 4.20 meters, and helped the team earn another championship title. At the 2010 Indoor NJAC Championships, Blashford won the pole vault event once again, clearing 4.4 meters respectively, and qualifying for the ECAC Championships.
In response to how he has achieved success as a pole vaulter, a modest Blashford says, “I don't really consider myself that successful, but practice makes perfect. I have been doing it for seven years now so I think by now I should at least be jumping this high.”
Blashford practices usually six days a week depending on when meets are. His workouts usually include lifting and running along with pole vaulting and sprint workouts.
“They're pretty constant and pretty intense,” says Blashford on his training regimen.
This weekend, Blashford will get a chance to compete at home as the Lions host the New Jersey Invitational on Saturday. This will be the first of three marquee events the team will host as they have the Lions' Invitational on April 24 and then the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships on May. 8.
Blashford competes in both indoor and outdoor track in the pole vaulting event. He argues that pole vaulting inside is easier than pole vaulting outdoors because of the weather conditions –mostly the force from the wind, which he says is “just one variable out of the equation.” Yet, Blashford enjoys pole vaulting outdoors when the weather is at its best with the sun producing a calm and serene ambiance.
By the end of his senior year, Blashford hopes to qualify for the NCAA Championships for pole vaulting. And with his continuous success, positive attitude and clear love for the sport, there is no doubt that he won't come out on top within this upcoming outdoor track season and in his final season at the College.
