Andrea Doepker 

---

Pole Vaulter Flying High

Never say never.

A few years back, when she was a young gymnast at the CanAm gym club, Andrea Doepker used to watch the U of S pole vaulters fling themselves through the air at the Saskatoon Field House. At that time, she told herself that was an activity she would never try.

Fast-forward to today and Doepker is heading to the Canada Games in Brandon - as one of Saskatchewan's two entries in the womens pole vault. After a provincial -junior-record-setting and Canadian-junior-record tying jump of 3.40 metres at a tri-province meet last weekend in Saskatoon, she is also being touted as medal contender. What makes that even more special is this is the first time the event is being held at the Games.

"Pole vaulting just looked fun," explained the 16-year-old Holy Cross student, who made the decision to get involved in the sport during high school competition in the spring. "With my gymnastics, it didn't bother me to be upside down or anything so I thought I'd give it a try. The first couple of times, it was pretty scary but I'm used to it now. It's nice flying."

Doepker, who spent eight years with the CanAm and Marian Gym Clubs, is a Canada Games veteran, having gone with the Gymnastics team to the 1995 Games at Grande Prairie. She says her experience in that sport helped her adjust quickly to the demands of pole vault especially in the areas of body awareness and timing. There was, however, one area that proved difficult.

"Whenever I went to jump at first, I wanted to point my toe because of gymnastics. I found it kind of hard to flex the foot,"she revealed with a laugh.

Heading to the Canada Games, Doepker has specific goals.

"I'd like to p.b. (get a personal best) but I don't know. I guess I would be happy to place in the top three," she said.

As such, Doepker feels her experience in gymnastics should be and asset.

"The Games will be different. There will be way more girls out than at the provincial competition where there's not that many. But I've been to big competitions with gymnastics and it's kind of, in that way the same. There's always people around. You've just got to stay focused," she said.

But the competition won't be all work and Doepker says she's also looking forward to the social aspect of the Games.

"It's so interesting to meet people from all the different sports. It's such a big thing," she recalled.

As for her future as a pole vaulter, Doepker now admits she's definitly hooked. 

"I'm just getting started," she said.