Community supports Olympic hopeful through ‘Live Locally’ race
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POLSON – Competing in the 2012 Olympic games would be a dream come true for Polson High School alum Melinda Owen. Thanks to the efforts of some 231 racers and a surprise sponsorship donation of $10,000, pursuing that dream has been made a little easier for Owen.
The fourth annual Live Locally Fun Run, co-organized and sponsored by Health Care Plus and Country Pasta in Polson, drew a crowd of participants eager to support the local Olympic hopeful.
Adults, children and a several canine companions braved the cold, wet morning weather to participate in Saturday’s 5K race.
Her voice wavered with emotion as Owen addressed participants prior to the race. Thanking them for their support she promised to work hard and do her best to make her community proud.
Being present for the race was important to Owen. She adjusted her training schedule and flew home from London in order to be home for the event.
Following Saturday’s race, participants were served a spaghetti lunch and awarded prizes. During this time Fred and Amy Kellogg of Country Pasta surprised Owen by presenting her with a sponsorship check in the amount of $10,000.
Live Locally registration monies totaling $4,250 will also be donated to Owen. The funds will help support her on her quest be one of three women pole vaulters who will represent the United States during the 2012 summer Olympic games.
According to event co-organizer Heather Knutson of Country Pasta, many people who weren’t able to participate in the race paid the registration fee anyway in order to support Owen. Several others wrote checks for more than the registration amount.
“Truly, this event defines what our community is all about,” Knutson said.
“The race was a huge success, the community really came together to support our own local Olympic hopeful,” HCP co-organizer Sarah Hartsoch Bird added.
The race’s benefactress couldn’t be more grateful. Owen’s bright smile continually shined during the event.
“This has been so awesome,” she said. “To have all the community do this, I feel so honored. They make me feel so special.”
Owen, daughter of Bob and Sandy Owen of Polson, began her pole vaulting career in high school. She credits her high school track and field coach, Bob Gunderson, with giving her a firm foundation to grow on.
“He sparked that passion… made it fun… started me in the right direction,” she said.
Her pole vaulting continued to improve during college and in her senior year she was hitting heights that were competitive on a national level. It was then she was invited to live and train at the Olympic training center in San Diego, Calif. She recalled thinking that her coach was joking with her. Though she said she’d always hoped to take pole vaulting to the next level professionally, she hadn’t dreamed it could take her to the Olympics.
But since January of 2009 she’s trained daily for the opportunity. Her extensive training involves preventative exercises and physical therapy to get rid of nagging little injuries. Through hard work and the incredible resources available at the center including customized training, nutrition and an on-site medical staff, Owen said she has learned much about herself, her body and what she needs to function at the highest level.
“I count my blessings all the time. It’s a unique experience that not everybody gets,” she said. “I definitely worked hard but also met pretty good opportunities to end up where I am now.”
The final test will be the two-day Olympic trials in June of 2012 when 25 of the nation’s best women pole vaulters are narrowed to 12 and then to three. The final three will comprise the U.S. Olympic team.
She is proud to represent both her state and hometown.
“I feel so honored to get the opportunity (to represent Polson),” she said. “I definitely have a lot of pride for where I come from. To have so many people rallying around me - I can’t explain how nice that is - what a great feeling that is. I want to (compete) for everybody. I want to make everybody proud.”
