Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Krisserin Canary

Steve Virgen

If the pole vault is “the extreme sport of track and field,” then

Corona del Mar High senior Krisserin Canary has definitely found her

niche. The highly competitive Sea King doesn’t back down from a

challenge, even when it means putting her body on the line. Such was the

case at the CIF Southern Section Division III Finals May 18, at Cerritos

College.

“I’m the type of person that doesn’t want to quit once I start

something,” Canary said.

When she first attempted to clear 11 feet, she hit the bar and the bar

came down and hit her on the mat. She also landed awkwardly on her ankle,

causing more pain. And, during the whole time she had her left leg taped

because she was, and is, suffering from shin splints.

But, did Canary stop competing? Of course not. She got right back up

and cleared 11 feet on her second attempt. Then, Canary followed that up

with an 11-6 clearance on her first attempt and advanced to the Masters

Meet Friday at Cerritos College. The Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week is

the school’s record holder in the pole vault (11-6). Canary, who is third

in Orange County in the pole vault, also cleared 11-6 at the Arcadia

Invitational April 13.

“She started out as a little timid freshman with gymnastic skills,”

CdM Coach Bill Sumner said. “She transcended it to confidence. But it’s

actually more than confidence.”

Canary has garnered extreme confidence and patience, so much that she

has developed a swagger. The daily training she puts into the pole vault

excites her more about the event and provides her with security. Only

three years into her sport, she knows that she will improve day-to-day

and month-to-month. And, she received a head start coming in because of

her gymnastics experience.

“With pole vaulting the hardest thing to learn is how to swing upside

down,” Canary said in reference to swinging up and over the bar. “From

doing gymnastics I have more control. It’s a lot easier for me.”

Canary began with gymnastics in 1996 right after the Olympics and

competed and trained for five years in the sport. She met her favorite

gymnast Dominique Moceanu and that inspired her. As did training with

Mihai Bagui, a Marina High alumnus and former USA men’s gymnastics team

member.

However, Canary suffered injuries and said she did not mesh well with

teammates on her club team, and vice versa. So, she turned her focus to

track, and then the pole vault.

This past season, just as last year, Canary was known for being a

consistent point-getter for the Sea Kings, who won the Pacific Coast

League title and CIF Division III crown last year.

Aside from the pole vault, Canary would score points in the shot put,

triple jump, the 200 meters and the 400 relay.

“I had go to the shot put and do all four of my throws at the same

time,” said Canary who was the Sea Kings top thrower in the shot, along

with senior Carrie Hawkins. “(Competing in several events is) a lot more

pounding on my ankles. I would try to get as many points as I could for

my team, that’s what was important to me: getting points for the team.”

Sumner, who calls pole vault the extreme sport of track and field,

said Canary could possibly be a heptathlete in the future. Canary plans

to walk to UCLA next year and will attempt to make the track and field

team as a walk-on. She said, coaches promised her a spot on the team if

she cleared 11-0 this season.

“I’m excited to go there,” Canary said.

Canary’s training and coaches have been a huge part of her improvement

over the past three years. Her coaching includes Sumner, CdM track and

field coach John Blair and Marina High pole vault coach Kevin Magula.