Bucknell University Athletics
Setting the Bar High
1/14/2008 7:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
Jan. 14, 2008
By Ashley LeVine, Bucknell Athletic Communications
Pole vaulting became a part of Bucknell senior David Mante's life at a young age and it was the thrill and excitement of the event that kept him involved with the sport to this day. As a bonus, being a part of the track and field teams in high school and through college has allowed Mante to develop skills that he looks to carry with him to the next stage in his life.
"I grew up in a family that was very involved with track and field; my dad was a pole vaulter and my sister was a pole vaulter, so I grew up under that experience and started vaulting in the fourth grade," says Mante.
"That's when I realized it was a crazy, dangerous and fun sport and have been doing it ever since."
A native of Warwick, N.Y., Mante notes that the middle school gym teacher in his hometown was also the head high school track and field coach. "He invited me in and that is how I got started," Mante explains, "I was a fourth grader practicing with about three other varsity jumpers who were seniors in high school. I was very fortunate for that."
In the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, Mante also ran cross country, but realized that did not help him develop the most explosive pole vault run and decided to focus all his energy on vaulting once he got to high school.
After pursuing the sport at the next level, Mante has noticed that "The competition steps up a lot in college, it's an adjustment. Everything is bigger and everything is faster, you have to be ready to go." Over the past four years, Mante has seen what it takes to develop both individually and as a team.
"My freshman and sophomore years at Bucknell I was injured and it took a lot of steps for me to try and be healthy again," Mante recalls. "I am tall and tend to have tighter muscles because I grew so fast. I didn't used to pay much attention to flexibility and was hurt all the time; I pulled my hamstrings several times. After that, my coach mandated that I go to Pilates three times a week. That was a lot of fun, I got through that and gained a lot of flexibility that way. The summer before my junior year I kept up with those exercises and that helped keep me a lot healthier."
After learning what it took for him to be able to perform at his best, Mante had a great junior season and earned the team's Most Improved Award. He also qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships. This year, he is a team co-captain, a role he relishes because of the responsibility bestowed upon him.
Mante believes that in addition to noticing how he has developed personally while at Bucknell, the team has developed tremendously from where it was his freshman year to now.
"We are coming into this year big," says Mante. "Last year, we ended up placing second outdoors, beating Navy. We are ready this year; we have a lot of great younger kids and a lot of great returnees. We want to make a big statement this year. Indoor league championships are home on Feb. 22-24, and we are looking to see anyone who is around to come out and see a great show."
As a captain, Mante feels responsible for building team unity in order for the team to continue moving in the right direction.
"The biggest thing for me as a captain is to make sure we are close together. It is an individual team sport. The captains have to make sure that we don't have runners, jumpers, hurdles, throwers, etc., but that you have a team in general," explains Mante, "Everyone is going to do his individual job to see that we advance as a team, but we have to make sure that there is a team atmosphere. We try and do a lot together, hanging out with the entire team and making sure we know everyone's name because it's a huge team."
When asked what kept him involved with the sport for so long, Mante explains, "I remember my high school coach saying `they shouldn't even let you do this in school because it's too much fun.' There is nothing like the feeling of pole vaulting, clearing a bar 16-17 feet off the ground and landing in the pit. With pole vaulting you get instant gratification, whereas with a lot of the other events you have to wait for times and measurements. In pole vault, if you clear the bar you know you made it."
Although that thrill is the main reason he still vaults today, Mante can take a step back and notice that his involvement with pole vaulting has awarded him more than just a fun experience. Being a part of the Bucknell track and field team has allowed him to develop skills that will be useful later in life.
"I have been going through some job interviews recently and I've noticed that everything I learned from track and field is so important," comments Mante. "My freshman year, I came here and did my best with time management, but I didn't really know what I was doing. Now, senior year I notice I can get so much more done and get it done so much more efficiently. All of the normal lessons that come from sports, like honesty, integrity and teamwork will help me in the future."
As graduation draws closer, Mante has a few ideas in mind for his future. "I am a civil environmental engineering major and have been interviewing with a couple construction management companies and some other options. Depending on how track and field goes through the fall and into the spring, I might want to continue with that and see if any opportunities arise at higher levels of competition after college. If not, then I will get a job and try to stay in shape."
In making plans for the future Mante realizes that, like with pole vaulting, you have to love what you do in order for the experience to be meaningful. "My dad has been a kindergarten and first grade elementary school gym teacher and is the happiest man in the world," says Mante, "To me that makes it difficult looking for jobs. He could have retired awhile ago, but is too happy and likes his job too much. Every job I look at I wonder if I am going to be as happy as my dad is."
At this point though, Mante is focused on the present and making this year one to remember in Bucknell track and field history. The Bison began the 2007-08 indoor season on Saturday, Dec. 1, at home with the Bison Opener and are now preparing for the Gulden Relays on Jan. 12 in Lewisburg. Bucknell is also set to host the indoor Patriot League Championships on Feb. 22 - 24 in Gerhard Fieldhouse.
