Jeff Tully
For many high school students, the summer is a time to kick back and
forget about hard work.
However, Burbank High girls' track and field athlete Ginny English
is spending her time away from school trying to improve in her
performance in the pole vault.
"I did take a couple of weeks off after the season ended a little
while ago," said English, who just concluded her junior season.
"I needed a little time to relax. Things got kind of hectic toward
the end of last season."
English had a fine 2005 campaign, breaking a school record,
winning a Foothill League championship and advancing to the CIF
Southern Section final.
It's because of her accomplishments that she has been named the
All-Area Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year, which is voted
on by the sportswriters and editors of the Glendale News-Press,
Burbank Leader and Foothill Leader.
"I was able to accomplish what I set out to do last season," said
English, who set a new school record with an 11-foot mark.
"I just want to try and get better, and hopefully, I will be able
to improve and jump higher next season."
English said her summer regimen includes working out two or three
times a week and competing in selected events.
She placed second with a 10-6 effort in the Young Women's Division
at the Junior Olympics regional competition in Vista on June 25.
The result qualified her for the National Junior Olympics
Championships on July 29 in Indianapolis.
The young athlete said although she takes the Junior Olympic
competition seriously, she uses a different approach for summer
competition.
"I am more focused on the competition during the high school
year," English said. "The event that is coming up is a lot less
pressure for me, so I can relax a little more."
Standing only 4-10, English has made the most of her strength,
agility, speed and determination to succeed in a sport that is
tailor-made for athletes of taller stature. She has also been aided
by a background in gymnastics, having trained at Burbank's Fun & Fit
Gymnastics.
That background helped lay the groundwork for her progression in
the sometimes dangerous pole vault event.
With her final season with the Bulldogs months away, English is
already setting goals for the 2006 campaign.
She would like to clear 12-0, defend her league championship and
make a return to the CIF final.
But next time, she would like to win a CIF title.
"I like to set my goals high," she said.
Burbank High's Ginny English jumped to new heights this
season, when she advanced to the CIF Southern Section final
AREA'S TOP PERFORMERS
*--*
100 Meters
Annie Sahl, Hoover 12.6
200 Meters
Claire Harrison, Crescenta Valley 26.7
400 Meters
Carolyn Chrzan, Burbank 59.71
800 Meters
Lauren Chramosta, Crescenta Valley 2:21.52
1,600 Meters
Shelby Pock, Crescenta Valley 5:19.70
3,200 Meters
Katie Vahoviak, Burroughs 11:28
100 High Hurdles LaKeisha Smith, Burroughs 16.6
300 Low Hurdles
Heather Riley, Flintridge Sacred Heart 45.73
Long Jump
Carolyn Chrzan, Burbank 16-7
Triple Jump
Keaton Ray, Crescenta Valley 34-4 1/2
High Jump
Karina Passi and Sydney Dunivant, Burroughs 5-0
Pole Vault
Ginny English, Burbank 11-0
Shot Put
Kara Brownlee, Burroughs 34-0
Discus
Gabby Zarate-DeMacedo, Bellarmine-Jefferson 106-8
*--*
*--*
Coach of the Year
Kenny Fisher, Flintridge Prep
*--*
