(Reno, NV) Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) Pole Vault Coach, Giovanni Lanaro, was named the 2016 National Collegiate Coach Of The Year (colleges and universities) by the USA Track and Field Pole Vault High Performance and Development Committee. The award was presented during the Opening Ceremonies of the National Pole Vault Summit (Friday; January 13, 2017), in front of 3,000 pole vaulters, pole vault coaches and fans.
“Giovanni was a unanimous decision amongst the selection committee.” replied USA Track and Field Men’s and Women’s Pole Vault High Performance and Development Chair, Brian Yokoyama. “He has done an incredible job with his athletes and has kept the great Mt. SAC Pole Vaulting Tradition, of which he is part of, alive with outstanding student/athletes of great character.”
Lanaro, a former elite vaulter himself, was a two-time Mexican Olympian who vaulted 19’01” (5.82M), which still stands as the Mexican and Hilmer Lodge Stadium (Mt. SAC) record. Lanaro competed for Mt. SAC during the 2000 and 2001 seasons and captured a state and national championship, as well as shattering legendary Olympic Gold Medalist, Bob Seagren’s college record of 17’01” (5.21M), by jumping 17’06”1/2 (5.35M). An even more amazing accomplishment considering his best performance prior to entering Mt. SAC was 11’06” (3.51M). Lanaro continued his education and vaulting at California State University at Fullerton (CSUF), where he jumped 18’04”1/2 (5.60M) to set the CSUF record and also earned NCAA Division 1 All-American status 3 times.
In its 30th year the National Pole Vault Summit, presented by UCS/Spirit Vaulting Poles and Nike, is the largest gathering of pole vaulters, pole vault coaches and pole vault fans in the world. Each year, over 3,000 people attend the event, which is held in Reno Nevada, concurrently at the John Azcuaga’s Nugget Hotel and Casino (Convention, Clinics, Lectures, Hall of Fame, Meetings) and the Reno Livestock Events Center. The “Summit” is a grassroots developmental clinic established to promote and advance the pole vault through education and safety. It consists of lectures, “Learn by doing clinics,” meetings, coaching demonstrations, competitions (14 pole vaulting pits/runways) and roundtable discussions with the world’s best pole vaulters and pole vault coaches. The “Summit” also serves as the official meeting/gathering for our nation’s top men’s and women’s pole vaulters and USA Pole Vault National Staff.
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For more information on the National Pole Vault Summit, please visit: www.polevaultsummit.com