Sometimes all it takes to get hooked on something is a taste. Just ask Mike Arnold, a senior pole vaulter for Idaho State University.
Arnold had the opportunity to go to the Olympic tryouts this summer in Eugene, Ore.
“It was a great experience to be in the top 24 in the nation – I think I was tied for thirteenth overall. The weather didn’t hold up the way we wanted it to, but getting to be there was exciting,” said Arnold.
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, a campus whose facilities are above and beyond what most universities can afford because of financial backing from Nike.
“Every time I go there, I love it, I’ve jumped well there every time I’ve gone. I’ve been all over the country and Eugene is one of those places that you just can’t beat,” said Arnold.
The experience of going to the Olympic trials and competing with people that will be in the Olympics is a daunting one, but it is also rewarding.
“Coming from high school I would think ‘I’m going to be there someday’ and sure enough I’m competing with them. You get to learn things as well as experience what they’re doing and see how they’re dealing with the conditions. It’s just awesome to be able to see them and be able to compete with them,” said Arnold.
Pole vaulting is a challenging sport that requires tremendous technique, focus, strength and speed.
“Once it gets to the level of competing for the Olympics you’ve put in the work, you’ve done the drills and have  your technique. You just have to get bigger and stronger. A big part of it is being mentally tough because once you get to those higher levels, you’re doing well.  You just have to be ready to put it down on the runway when you need to and be mentally ready for it,” said Arnold.
Arnold was one of three representatives for Idaho State at the Olympic trials for pole vault. ISU alumni Pauli Litchfield and Levi Keller were also in attendance.
Despite a strong entry into the Olympic trials and solidifying himself as one of the nation’s best, there is still a sense that Arnold wants to do more. As a measure of his accomplishments, however, going to the trials was a big milestone.
“I wish I would have had a better performance, but it’s up there on my list. I don’t know if it would be at the top because I felt like I could jump a lot better. At the same time, it’s a win within itself because I was able to be there and I’m young. In another four years, we’ll see what happens,” said Arnold.
“The conditions were the toughest part [of the trials]. I jumped a personal record to get there and that was eighteen feet, two inches. From setting a personal record I was able to use that adrenaline coming into the Olympic trials,” Arnold added.
“I’ve got to get faster and stronger and we’ll work on my technique. I want to iron out all of my imperfections so that when it comes time [to compete] I don’t have to worry about it. Now I’ve got a taste of it, it’s time to hit the road and get ready.”
The Olympic trials have not only highlighted things to improve upon, but have also inspired this Bengal to have a positive outlook on the coming season.
“I think it’s a really good springboard for this year. Watching the Olympics you get excited and getting a taste of the Olympic trials, I want to go there, I walked into coach’s office last week and I said ‘You’ve been to the Olympics, what do I need to do to get there?’ We’ve restructured all of my training. It’s going to go well, this year is going to be a big year and we’re hoping to get the A-standard which is eighteen feet, nine inches,” said Arnold.
This final season is an important one in terms of adding to the tradition of Bengal athletics.
“I don’t have the NCAA All-American and that’s one of the things that I want. I have Big Sky Conference Championships, made a US team as a junior, but I’m still looking for that college award that I want. Conference and getting the NCAA All American is the top priority…and then we’ve got worlds,” said Arnold.
Great athletes like Arnold are rare and the fact that Idaho State attracts them year after year to its track program is a testament not only to the coaching staff and the university itself, but to the community around it. As always, the ISU community will be behind Arnold as he competes for another Big Sky Championship and a return to the Olympic tryouts in 2016. Who knows, maybe ISU fans will be able to watch the Olympics in four years and root for a Bengal as he competes for a medal.