Thompson makes miraculous marks (SIU)

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http://www.siude.com/sports/thompson-ma ... -1.2143178

Thompson makes miraculous marks
The Southern Miracle
By Ryan Simonin

rsimmy@siu.edu

Published: Thursday, January 21, 2010
Updated: Thursday, January 21, 2010

Pat Sutphin | Daily Egyptain
Miracle Thompson, a junior from Terre Haute, Ind. studying Recreation competes in SIU’s second indoor track and field meet of the season Friday at the Recreation Center. Thompson broke the school record at the first meet on December 4, vaulting 13.1 feet, ranking her 8th in the nation for women’s pole vault.
Junior pole vaulter Miracle Thompson is also known as “The Hulk” among her teammates because of her lime green socks and fingernail polish that she wears on the day of competition.

Sophomore pole vaulter Cody Doerflein said the team gave her the nickname because lime green is her “go-to color” on the day of her event.

At the Saluki Fast Start, the first meet of 2009 season, Thompson broke her previous SIU indoor vaulting record of 12 feet, 04.75 inches by clearing a vault of 13-01.50. She also holds the outdoor SIU vaulting record of 11-09.75. She also competes in the 60-meter hurdles.

Prior to SIU, Thompson was a three-time state qualifier in high school, as well as an All-American her senior year.

SIU head coach Dan Digman said Thompson has established women’s pole vault at SIU. Digman said SIU has had a few women in pole vault before, but they were mediocre athletes at best.

“Before she got here, our program was nonexistent on the women’s side and to see how she has developed women’s pole vaulting here has been really neat,” Digman said. “She will leave a lasting legacy here for years and years to come after she is gone.”

Thompson said breaking school records isn’t enough and now has bigger goals that she hopes to attain.

“I want to go to nationals and place first in the women’s pole vaulting event because it would be the ultimate achievement for me,” Thompson said. “I’ve been pole vaulting for five years now and I figure that’s like the peak for me,”

Digman said Thompson’s dedication and hard work shows in her performances.

“I couldn’t ask for a better athlete,” Digman said. “She brings a quiet kind of leadership to the team and she is a model athlete and if I could get 10 more just like her we would be set.”

Digman said Thompson is a model for other student-athletes to look up to.

Thompson, a native of Terre Haute, Ind., said the desire to achieve her goals isn’t the only thing that keeps her motivated. Thompson’s mother, Stella Thompson, passed away last summer and was her biggest fan.

“She was the one that gave me encouragement and pushed me especially when I wanted to quit,” Thompson said.

Thompson said her mother has always been a big influence in her life and she made her the person that she is today. Thompson said her mother taught her about hard work and dedication and also to never give up.

“She was a single parent and always had a smile on her face even when times were tough,” Thompson said. “She made me a positive person and told me to look at the bright side of life and even though today might have sucked, there is always tomorrow.”