Owens takes third at indoor championships

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M - Usually when somebody is working on their

technique in a certain sport, there are some adjustment pains

involved.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M - Usually when somebody is working on their technique in a certain sport, there are some adjustment pains involved.

But when Polson's Melinda Owen is adjusting her technique in the pole-vault event, she just goes out and finishes third place at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships last week.

Owen got third with a vault of 14 feet, 11.5 inches.

Like any true craftsman, the 2003 Polson high school graduate has been honing her craft in the short indoor track season that started in December and those tweaks have led to her personal best.

"With the changes you make in practice, you're doing them over bungees," Owen said. "In competition, the mindset is you no longer think, you do."

Technique changes may work in practice but then have to be repeated until it becomes muscle memory for the competitor.

"My goals ride along with the techniques I'm doing in practice," Owen said.

Another big help was the presence of her family at the championships. Her parents, sister and younger brother were there, along with a good family friend.

"I always jump well when my family is here," Owen said. "They got to sit right next to the runaway. I love that no matter what I do, my family is going to be supportive right afterwards."

Her older brother, Pat, was able to watch the event thanks to an iPhone app. Owen, who is ranked 15th in the world for pole-vaulting, almost completed two attempts over the height of 15 feet and three inches as she had nearly her whole body over the bar before something knocked it off the holders.

That height would have ranked seventh in the entire world if completed. After a week of well-deserved rest, Owen will train in Missoula for two weeks with the Griz coaches.

"We kind of take a step back and go to the basics," she said.

And if one thing is for sure, when Owen works on things, something good usually happens.

"I can go into the outdoor season with a huge amount of confidence," Owen said. "I'm so excited with the way things are going."