STANWOOD — Some competitors recently asked Nathan Simunds what sort of strength training he does, hoping to find out what helped the Stanwood High School senior become one of the state’s best pole vaulters.
Simunds had to chuckle. For him, intense weight-room sessions have never been a priority.
“I only need a moderate amount of strength. That’s pretty much what I have,” said Simunds, a tall, lanky athlete who last week broke Stanwood’s school pole vault record by clearing 15 feet during the Class 4A Northwest District Track and Field Championship Meet at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Bulging muscles aren’t necessary because the pole vault is “something that I can excel at just with technique,” Simunds said.
Simunds, the district champion, will test his theory again this week. He is the top seed for Friday’s 4A pole vault competition at the 4A state meet in Pasco.
Simunds, who placed third in the state last year, said he hopes to soar 15 feet, 6 inches or even 16 feet, which he called “an amazing number.”
His lofty goals are remarkable considering he initially resisted becoming a vaulter. Simunds comes from a family with a long history in the event. His dad vaulted in high school and college, and Simunds’ three older siblings all competed in pole vault at Stanwood.
During his freshman year of high school, Simunds was determined to rebel.
“I was like, ‘No! I’m breaking tradition. I don’t want to do it.’ Then I got addicted,” he said.
It didn’t take long for Simunds to get hooked.
“I just enjoy the feeling. It’s a lot of fun to get thrown by your pole up into the air. It’s really random,” he said.
Simunds enjoys vaulting so much he plans to do it in college, possibly at Concordia University in Portland, Ore., he said. A well-rounded student-athlete who takes Running Start classes at Everett Community College and said he has a 3.95 cumulative grade-point average, Simunds’ passion for flight doesn’t end with vaulting: He aspires to become a pilot.
Simunds loves a good challenge, said his sister, Christina Simunds-Ely. She is a 2003 Stanwood High graduate who until this spring held the school’s girls vault record. Christina coached Nathan during his sophomore and junior seasons.
“He is very detail-oriented in what he does. He could have done a lot of the other events out there (but he) wanted to work at what was most important to him. He picked something that is hard to master,” Christina Simunds-Ely said.
Nathan Simunds said his sister, who now lives in Steilacoom, a bit south of Tacoma, had an important impact on his development as a vaulter.
“I’m still very grateful that she helped me. I was very excited to have her,” as a coach, he said.
Simunds maxed out at 10 feet, 6 inches during his freshman season for the Spartans. But by his sophomore year, with help from his sister, he set a personal record of 13-6.
Gradually, he spent less time on other events, like hurdles and long jump, and focused on pole vault. Simunds said he remembers many nights when he and his sister were the last ones at Stanwood Stadium. They’d often stay up to 90 minutes after practice officially ended and keep honing his skills.
It made a difference, as did trips to numerous vaulting camps, he said.
On Friday Simunds could cap his prep career with a state title. He would become the second consecutive Western Conference athlete to win the 4A pole vault crown. In 2007 Kamiak’s Sean Beighton placed first.
“Obviously his technique has been coming together well in the last few weeks and he’s focused,” Stanwood track coach Paul Johnson said of Simunds. “He’s certainly one of the favorites.”
Consistency is the key, said Simunds, who hopes to set a new personal record.
“I’m not too worried. I’m just there to go PR again,” he said. “That’s my goal.”
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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