New look, same results for Cody Doerflein (SIUC)
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:00 am
http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/200 ... 206137.txt
New look, same results for Doerflein
By Geary Deniston, For The Southern
Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:43 PM CST
CARBONDALE - Cody Doerflein's transition from two-time high school state pole vault champion to college freshman has been about as smooth as can be expected. The former Du Quoin star is doing just fine for the Southern Illinois University track squad.
For those fans used to seeing Doerflein's curly blond locks clearing the bar, they are in for a shock as these days he is sporting a more clean-cut shorter look.
The new hair style hasn't changed Doerflein. The two-time All-American, three-time all-state performer and four-time conference champion is still the same free spirit he has always been.
"The world will end as we know it if Cody doesn't have fun," Doerflein joked. "Seriously, I just need to jump and I need to have fun. That's the most important thing for me."
Despite cutting his hair to a more manageable length, he has avoided the Samson syndrome and has already won his first collegiate meet. The secret to Doerflein's success is that he came in almost a finished product.
"I was doing things mostly right, so they didn't have to break me down and build me back up again," Doerflein said. "The main thing that changed here is from a training perspective. We are just trying to make everything smoother and a lot faster and dynamic."
It took Doerflein only four tries before he won his first collegiate meet, but his winning height of 15 feet, 1 inch - well short of his career best of 16-07 - left him with a less-than-satisfied feeling.
"Being a freshman and winning my first meet is something to talk about, but in my mind I kind of lost," Doerflein said. "If I would have jumped 16 feet I would have felt a lot better. However, on my final attempt my approach was a little bit better and I just brushed the bar, so I ended on a good note.
"The technique keeps getting better, but I still have to put it all together. I just have to take everything from practice, put it into that one jump day. Right now it just isn't there yet. My approach is still a little bit out of sync, so I am still working on that."
Doerflein began his Saluki career by clearing 15-07 in his first two meets, but has backed off a bit, as he has cleared just 15-01 in his last three.
"We were still beat up from practice and are kind of training through all these meets because none are really important," Doerflein said. "We are on track as long as we do good at conference and make it to nationals and do good there."
There are three meets left in the indoor season in addition to Feb. 28's Missouri Valley Conference championships at Northern Iowa and the NCAA indoor championships March 13 at Texas A&M.
New look, same results for Doerflein
By Geary Deniston, For The Southern
Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:43 PM CST
CARBONDALE - Cody Doerflein's transition from two-time high school state pole vault champion to college freshman has been about as smooth as can be expected. The former Du Quoin star is doing just fine for the Southern Illinois University track squad.
For those fans used to seeing Doerflein's curly blond locks clearing the bar, they are in for a shock as these days he is sporting a more clean-cut shorter look.
The new hair style hasn't changed Doerflein. The two-time All-American, three-time all-state performer and four-time conference champion is still the same free spirit he has always been.
"The world will end as we know it if Cody doesn't have fun," Doerflein joked. "Seriously, I just need to jump and I need to have fun. That's the most important thing for me."
Despite cutting his hair to a more manageable length, he has avoided the Samson syndrome and has already won his first collegiate meet. The secret to Doerflein's success is that he came in almost a finished product.
"I was doing things mostly right, so they didn't have to break me down and build me back up again," Doerflein said. "The main thing that changed here is from a training perspective. We are just trying to make everything smoother and a lot faster and dynamic."
It took Doerflein only four tries before he won his first collegiate meet, but his winning height of 15 feet, 1 inch - well short of his career best of 16-07 - left him with a less-than-satisfied feeling.
"Being a freshman and winning my first meet is something to talk about, but in my mind I kind of lost," Doerflein said. "If I would have jumped 16 feet I would have felt a lot better. However, on my final attempt my approach was a little bit better and I just brushed the bar, so I ended on a good note.
"The technique keeps getting better, but I still have to put it all together. I just have to take everything from practice, put it into that one jump day. Right now it just isn't there yet. My approach is still a little bit out of sync, so I am still working on that."
Doerflein began his Saluki career by clearing 15-07 in his first two meets, but has backed off a bit, as he has cleared just 15-01 in his last three.
"We were still beat up from practice and are kind of training through all these meets because none are really important," Doerflein said. "We are on track as long as we do good at conference and make it to nationals and do good there."
There are three meets left in the indoor season in addition to Feb. 28's Missouri Valley Conference championships at Northern Iowa and the NCAA indoor championships March 13 at Texas A&M.