Edgar Ayala – Sports Editor
Freshman Jack Brown from Southern’s track and field team picked up double accolades after being named the Northeast-10 Field Rookie of the Week and the ECAC Male Rookie of the Week.
After his performance at the Spartan Regional Invite on Jan. 15, his first place finish in the pole vault event was enough for the freshman to pick up his first NE-10 and ECAC honors.
“It sort of surprised me,” said Brown. “I thought I did pretty well [that week]. It made me very happy, but at the same time a little surprised.”
At the Regional Invite Brown reached a height of 4.05 meters, sharing first place with Erik Adamcik from Rider University.
Earlier in the season he also managed to pick up another first place finish at the Elm City Challenge on Jan. 11. Only this time being the sole leader in the pole vault with a height of 4.35 meters.
Brown said the pole vault event is his specialty “for right now,” but added that he enjoys doing all the other events. He noted that the most difficult part of the pole vault is mentally preparing yourself for it.
“Technique wise, it’s all about you not being afraid to get upside down,” Brown said. “A lot of people are afraid of heights, so they feel like they’re going to hurt themselves. But I’m not that guy.”
Head track and field coach, John Wallin, said Brown has a bright future ahead of him and sees him thriving for Southern for the next couple of years.
“When we recruited Jack we knew he was going to be pretty good,” said Coach Wallin. “He’s going to be an All-American. We’ll see if we can get him to the national meet and get him into the top three at some point.”
Additionally, Wallin noted that Brown’s best trait he possesses is his maturity.
“He’s very mature for an 18-year-old. Very thoughtful, intelligent, and obviously works very hard,” Wallin said.
Complimenting his performances is teammate Giannini Santino. Likewise, Santino is a freshman that specializes in the pole vault.
And upon receiving the NE-10 and ECAC Rookie of the Week, Santino said he wasn’t surprised that Brown won the awards, noting that the team has talented individuals and a great coaching staff.
“Jack is hard on himself, critical at times. But that pushes him to make himself better,” Santino said.
Originally from Lyndon Center, Vt. Brown currently holds the Division II state record in Vermont for pole vault with a height of 4.27 meters.
From his time at Lyndon Institute High School, he was a three-time Vermont Division II outdoor pole vault state champion, two-time indoor pole vault state champion, two-time 400 meter dash state champion and part of the 4×400 state champion relay.
He also managed to be a two-time Caledonian Record male track and field Athlete of the Year, and according to Brown one of his most proudest accomplishments.
With all he has achieved, Brown admitted the secret behind his success over the years.
“I always don’t think about winning at all. I think about what I have to fix in order to get better,” said Brown.
As for Southern, Brown’s next meet is scheduled for Jan. 29 at the Terrier Classic in Boston, Mass. Where he will look to help the Owls with another victory.
“I’m hoping to accomplish bigger things here,” Brown said. “You can expect me to go higher and higher in the pole vault. That’s what I plan to accomplish during my time here.”
