Sophomore Pole Vaulter Awarded Spirit of Sport Award
By Jamie Oberg, UIL Intern | Friday, May 31, 2013 7:44 AM
As her coach watches, sophomore Charlotte Brown clears the bar at the UIL State Track Meet. Brown, who is legally blind, placed eighth in the 3A competition.
Photo by Jamie Oberg, UIL intern
At this year’s UIL State & Field Championships, Charlotte Brown, a pole-vaulter at Emory Rains High School, was presented with the 2013 Section 6 National High School Spirit of Sport Award by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
The National Federation of State High Schools Associations Spirit of Sport Award was created to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics. The NFHS divides the nation into eight geographical sections, with Texas in Section 6.
Although legally blind, the sophomore placed eighth in the state in pole vaulting.
Brown’s visual abilities are similar to looking through a tiny straw. She cannot distinguish shapes or colors, and has no depth perception.
“I don’t believe anything, even vision impairment, should stop you from doing something you love or enjoy,” she said. “Being legally blind can be a little inconvenient at times but it’s those challenges that will make you strong.”
UIL Assistant Athletic Director Traci Neely said Brown’s participation in the state meet inspired fans, officials and fellow contestants.
“It’s not a story about overcoming being blind, it’s about the adversity that we all face in life and how we choose to deal with it,” Neely said. “Charlotte is an example of finding a way to get ‘in,’ even if it means going in through the ‘out’ door.”
Brown is able to vault with the help of her coach, Derek Smith, who yells her steps and signals her to launch. She uses a strip of artificial turf to guide her path. The strip allows Brown some ability to distinguish the shade difference between the runway and the turf.
During Brown’s turns, meet officials requested the surrounding spectators be as silent as possible as Brown completed her vaults. She successfully completed jumps at heights of 9-6, 10-0, and 10-6. Prior to the state meet, Brown’s highest completed vault was at a height of 11-6.
When Brown was unable to complete the 11-foot vault, she was given a standing ovation by several hundred spectators and was even hugged by some of her competitors. She placed eighth in 3A state competition.
“Life is full of challenges; some are just bigger than others,” Brown said.