Sunday, July 24, 2011
Josh Sonnen Summer 2011 TAAF Region Champion 16'1"
At 6'1", the 17 year old Sonnen is an entering senior at Midlothian High School. He began his pole vaulting career in the 7th grade and has never looked back since.
Sonnen balances his pole vaulting with work at Freebird's during the week and helping with special needs children at First Baptist Dallas on Sunday mornings. He has been training with George Rodriguez of Elite Sportz of Haslet, Texas. Rodriguez, a 17' vaulter himself in his younger days, coaches Josh alongside his son, Devin, himself a 17' vaulter in recent years. The Haslet facility has been Sonnen's main staple for practice this summer. Recently, Sonnen finished 1st at the TAAF Region 4 regional meet in Flower Mound, Texas with a jump of 16'1" (seen here) though he had valiant attempts at 16'7" (seen here as well). Sonnen advances to the TAAF state meet in Waco where he will continue to push his PR of 16'6" he set this past spring. Asked what he thinks of Elite Sportz, Sonnen says, "George and Devin are incredible coaches, and they have technically pushed me harder than anyone else in the past, and it really starting to pay off." With the 17' mark on Sonnen's immediate horizon, he will be a good athlete to watch, both from high school competitors as well as college recruiters.
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