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One of the more difficult events in track and field has to be the pole vault. The technique can take years to perfect, and this airborne event is not for those with a fear of flying.
Now, throw in another challenge — try competing in this event with Charlotte Brown’s vision impairment.
Although Brown, 15, is legally blind, on Saturday she competed in the pole vault at the Texas girls Class 3A state championships.
Brown entered the final meet with one of the best measurements at 11 feet, 6 inches. According to the Associated Press, Brown listened to her Emory Rains High coach’s voice as a guide to lead her toward the box.
While Brown could not top 10 feet in the finals and did not medal, her height would have been good enough to earn a medal last year at the Washington Class 3A state finals.
The AP also reported that fans in the stadium gave Brown a standing ovation after her third and final attempt.
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On this Mother’s Day, let’s recall some of the greatest (and embarrassing) moments of Moms in Sports.
Nothing quite says motherly love like the video clip of the mom jumping into a boxing ring to attack her son’s opponent. As the boxer was getting pummeled against the ropes, his mother appears in the frame and starts swinging a shoe in defense of her boy.
Also, who can forget during the NBA 2008 Eastern Conference playoffs when LeBron James’ mother took umbrage to Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce bearhugging her son on a fastbreak attempt. The players’ momentum carried into the baseline and Gloria James popped up to go after Pierce. The good son, LeBron James, could be seen telling his mother to: “sit your (behind) down!”
However the best moment may belong to former Milwaukee Brewers slugger Bill Hall and his pink bat. In 2006, as Major League Baseball commemorated breast cancer awareness, Hall hit a walk-off home run on Mother’s Day with his mom in the stands.
