Many of you may know that Mark's Dad is a super-jock. Seriously. Since his high school days in the 1940s, Dad has been a track and field athlete. He has also coached school kids for his entire adult life. During his 50s, he ran marathons. In his 60's, he focused on the shorter distances in track, and in his 70s, he focused on achieving a national ranking as a decathlete. And now, as he is gracefully moving into his 80s, he's pole-vaulting.
In fact, as long as any of us can remember, track and field has been a part of the Seifert family tradition. Part of that tradition requires the filming of Dad tossing his children and grandchildren over a high-jump bar. (One day I will figure out how to transfer to the blog the 8 mm films of his earliest efforts with us...which are a hoot.)
When I was last home to visit, I asked Dad to indoctrinate Jack in the high jump ritual. You can never start too soon with proper technique. And here are the results. You will note that Jack is using the Fosbury Flop rather than the straddle. No one uses the straddle jump anymore (except for those 80 year old Masters athletes).
Watching my Dad with Jack just slays me. He's so tender and funny with him.
Then again, you gotta watch Dad when he's near the water with young 'uns. More on that later.
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