Alaniva was multi-faceted point man for Chiefs' track & field team

June 12, 2010, 10:45 p.m.

  Nick Alaniva is not afraid of heights.

  The Canton senior-to-be proved that time and again this spring for the Chiefs' track-and-field team, for which he soared as its No. 1 pole vaulter.

  Heading into last weekend's Division 1 state meet, Alaniva had posted the second-highest vault in the area - 13 feet, 10 inches - behind only Livonia Churchill's Joseph Marlow's 14-2 effort.

  A state-qualifier in the pole vault, Alaniva also excelled in the long jump, posting a season-best leap of 20-10.

  A 4.0 student and running back for the Chiefs' football team, Alaniva took a few moments last month to talk with PlymouthCantonSports.com's Ed Wright.

  ED WRIGHT: How did you get involved in pole-vaulting?

  NICK ALANIVA: My freshman year, I'd watch the pole vaulters and think to myself, 'I'm never going to try that!' It looked way too scary. But I was long jumping pretty well and Coach K (Canton assistant coach Matti Kilpelainen) was looking for new pole vaulters. He said good long jumpers make good pole vaulters because they're pretty similar - especially the approach and take-off - so I tried about half-way through my freshman year. I've been doing it ever since.

  EW: How much have you improved year to year?

  NA: My freshman year I cleared 11 feet. Last year, my best vault was 13 feet and this year I got 13-10.

  EW: What's the highest height you've cleared in practice?

  NA: I got 14 feet once.

  EW: What was the toughest thing about pole vaulting to pick up?

  NA: Probably the whole swinging part once you get to the top. I still haven't perfected getting upside down like you need to do at the top of the vault. When I first vaulted, I'd use my own technique until I got comfortable with it. Now, I'm learning to be tall and to swing up. There's a lot to it.

  EW: What's the most important thing Coach K has taught you?

  NA: He's taught me everything. There are a lot of little things you need to do to be good. Every practice, he'll see something that I can improve on. He has a really good eye when it comes to picking things out that I can do better.

  EW: What's your favorite event - the pole vault or long jump?

  NA: Definitely the pole vault. It's an adrenaline rush. It's definitely more fun going up in the air than landing in a pit of sand (smile).

  EW: Some vaulters wear helmets, others don't. You choose not to. Do you ever think about wearing one?

  NA: Not really. I think it would throw me off. As long as you stay under control, you should be fine.

  EW: What are some keys to a successful vault?

  NA: You're only going to get up if you get a good, fast approach, so speed is important.