Tim Mack isn’t the favorite to win the men’s pole vault at Saturday’s U.S.A. Outdoor Track and Field Championships, but he’s fine with that. He knows he’s in the hunt because his season is on the upswing.
The 2004 Olympic gold medalist from Westlake is the No. 6 seed. He recently cleared
18-8¼ (5.7 meters) on June 12 to set the San Diego State University Stadium record. That puts Mack right in the thick of things for a chance to earn a spot on the United States’ World team.
Last year, 18-8¼ would have got him second at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., same site as the outdoor nationals. On that day, Mack cleared only 18-0½ and tied for sixth. The third and final qualifying berth to the Beijing Olympics was 18-6½.
“You just can’t lose hope,” Mack said. “I’m doing the training and it’s been feeling good. It’s just a matter of time.”
Mack tied for second with teammate Jeremy Scott at 17-9 at the Prefontaine Classic on June 7 in Eugene. Sweden’s Alhaji Jeng (18-1) was the winner. Four of the seven finalists no-heighted, including 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials winner Derek Miles, who is 13 days younger than the 36-year-old Mack.
“I’m 36 and still able to make the right decisions,” Mack said. “I’m pretty happy. I’m always trying to jump high, even though it’s not happening right now. Hopefully, it’ll come around.”
Last year, Mack vaulted 19-2¾ at Chula Vista for his best performance. He also did well at the 2008 Prefontaine Classic, finishing third with a mark of 18-81/4.
Mack said the tricky winds of the Pacific Northwest will impact his fate in Eugene, just as they did a year ago at the Trials.
“My goal is definitely the top three,” Mack said. “I’m going in with the mind-set that I’ve got to jump 5.80 meters (19-0¼) because it’s World championship year. The goal is to do what I need to do technically.”
Brad Walker (19-41/4), Miles (19-21/4), Scott (19-1), Jacob Pauli (19-01/4) and Jason Colwick (18-91/4) lead the field, followed by Mack (18-8¼).
“Who knows what the weather is going to be like,” Mack said. “Physically, I’m feeling great. Obviously, I wish my runway speed was just a little bit faster, but I think if I made the team I could put the finishing touches on it in the short time we have before the Worlds.”
Mack started the season slow. His best indoor mark was 18-0¼, but he was able to compete in more meets than in recent seasons because his health has been so good.
“Sometimes, it never feels perfect,” Mack said. “You just need to get something out of it (the competition). But sometimes you don’t need a perfect jump to make the team. The weather isn’t always going to allow you to jump high. You just have to deal with what you’ve been given.”
Conditions at Eugene’s Hayward Field are traditionally tough for pole vaulters. Mack doesn’t expect this year to be any different.
“It’s always a little bit challenging there,” said Mack, who has vaulted at Hayward Field nearly 15 times in his career. “The only year that was good was for the 2004 Trials. There was a lot of wind that day, but it was perfect. At end of June, you never know what you’re going to get over there.”
Returning to one of the most hallowed sites in the sport, the U.S. Track and Field Championships take place at Hayward Field, site of the 1972, ’76, ’80 and 2008 Olympic Trials.
“It’s kind of like golf. Some courses you just have to try to get through it,” said Mack, the former Olympic record-holder (19-6 1/4). “With Eugene, you can’t try to overpower it. You can’t overpower Mother Nature. You take whatever it gives you and that’s that. Sometimes you get a perfect day and you can really go for it.”
Contact Paul Heyse at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

USA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

WHERE: Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore.
TV times: Friday, 8-10 p.m., ESPN (live); Saturday, 7:30-9:30 p.m., ESPN (live/tape); Sunday, 4-6 p.m. Channel 3 (live).
AT STAKE: Spots on the Team USA roster for the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Berlin. The top three finishers per event that achieve the “A” Standard advance to the World.
PRIZE MONEY: First place—$4,000; second place—$3,000; third place—$2,000; fourth place—$1,000; fifth place—$500.
MACK’S SCHEDULE: Men’s pole vault—Saturday, 2:55 p.m.

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