ATTAINING NEW HEIGHTS!
For those that possess a DREAM, or have experienced SUCCESS, you have discovered several things…
- There is NO such thing as “Overnight Success”!
- It is VITAL to Make Progress, Each Day towards your Dream!
- Progress usually happens in small increments over a period of time “Inch by Inch, It’s a Cinch!”
- PERSEVERANCE IS KEY!
In the early Spring of 2023 George Kraus was asked, “If you could attain Track & Field Success, being in the Top 20 in the Nation as a Decathlete, would that be of any interest to you?” His reply… “YES”!
He was warned that the process would take Hard Work in the Weight Room, at the Track, on the Runways, in the Circles, and the Pits! There would be times of Disappointment, Frustration, Excitement, and Elation, but if he FOCUSED on the GOAL, he WOULD Attain It!
In 2023, George finished DEAD LAST in the Decathlon at the National Track & Field Championships out of 35 Athletes! For many, that would be DEVASTATING! For George, it made him HUNGRY! When the National Track & Field Championships came around in July of 2024, George had made his way onto the Medal Stand, for the Decathlon!
It was the Daily Grind that Athletes face during the Off-Season, coupled with the Training during the Track & Field Season moves the “PR Needle”, if you will. The Rensselaer Pole Vault Record had stood for years at 12’! In June of 2024 George broke that Record clearing a height of 12’ 6”! Exciting, while it lasted for about five (5) minutes, until his cousin, Seth, broke George’s Record by clearing a height of 13’! ☹
What a Difference a Year Makes! With Consistent Practice through November (outdoors), as well as several months Indoors, and LOTS of Rain, Wind , and Cold during the Spring Track & Field Season of 2025, the Vault began to CLICK, after a near DEBACLE at the Queensbury Invitational, where he nearly MISSED three (3) Attempts at a mere 11’! ☹ Not only did he WIN 1st Place at the Queensbury Invitational, but has since taken 1st Place at the Schuylerville Invitational, meeting the State Qualifying Standard of 13’ 9”, clearing a HUGE PR at Rensselaer on Senior Night with a Vault of 14’ 6”, 1st Place at the Patroon Championships with 14’ (more Rain), 1st Place at the Section II Championships when he cleared the same height, and 1st Place, once again, at the State Qualifiers at Shenendehowa, and just barely missing at 15’!
“He is just getting Started!”, noted Head Coach, Anthony Mills! He added, “There is plenty of Track & Field left to the 2025 Season, which will culminate at the National Track & Field Championships in Texas, in late July, where he hopes to grace the Medal Stand for the Decathlon, as well as Pole Vault! The ECITEMENT still lies ahead!”
At this point, only George knows what he is going to accomplish, but as long as he follows the Road Map to Success, it IS there for the taking!
