NORMAL -- Mike Cockerham, founder and head coach of the Flying Dragon Pole Vault Club, has never encouraged to “vault naked” in the literal sense. But recently is has become a metaphorical motto for vaulters.

“It’s a metaphor for leaving it all on the runway,” Cockerham said. “To let it all hang out, to tear it up, give it all you got, vault like it’s the last time you’ll ever jump in your life.”

Only recently has the club embraced the figurative expression. Cockerham has tried instilling that idea in all of his vaulters since he started coaching at Pekin High School in 1996.

“It’s the exhilarating experience of trying to fly,” Cokerham said “From the time you leave the runway and the pole hits the box you have no idea what happens until you hit the pit.”

The Dragons did their best to personify their mantra when they were among 3,000 participants at the Reno Pole Vault Summit Jan. 4-5 in Reno, Nev., where seven Dragons reached personal records.

“Reno was a coach’s dream. Every kid we took there was jumping at their personal record or above,” Cockerham said.

“To stand there and have coaches from all over the U.S. talk to you and congratulate you on how your kids perform and how well behaved they are — it makes you feel good.”

For Taylor Riccolo, a senior at Dwight High School who set her personal record of 7 feet, 10 inches, said Reno was different from previous track meets.

“It was a new experience for me,” Riccolo said. “I had never traveled outside my conference, and I never went on a pole vault trip. To go to Reno was a lot of fun. It was amazing to see all the pits.”

The vaulters in Reno ranged in ability from beginner to world class. The top-ranked high school boys’ pole vaulter, who was from Germany, competed along with three 40-year old-plus world record holders.

No matter how high they jumped, no vaulter at the Summit took home a prize.

“It’s the greatest thing ever,” Cockerham said. “That’s what it’s all about, it’s not about money, it’s not about anything else, it’s about those kids clearing that bar.”

Logan Pflisben, a sophomore from Streator, cleared 15 feet, 8 inches and won his pit. Pflisben took third place in last summer’s national competition.

Team captain Joe Roberts finished third in his pit having vaulted 14 feet. During competition the Bloomington High School senior got to meet other coaches and competitors.

“Reno’s fun. You meet new people — people who have vaulted all their lives,” Roberts said. “A lot of the coaches kind of taught me some things about my run. You get to have a connection with the people you vault against.”

Getting pointers from more experienced vaulters is the basis for the Summit and emphasizes the foundation set by Cockerham at his club.

“I had a great coach in high school,” Cockerham said. “I always said if I ever had the chance to do the same, I would. And I did.”

Cockerham passed credit to assistant coaches Jon Blome and Whitne Calvert, both of whom competed in college.

“We started them when they were sophomores at Pekin,” Cockerham said. “I always told them if they had the opportunity to give back that they should, and they are now.”

The Dragons range in age from 10 to their early 50s. Cockerham has seen many of his vaulters progress to the college level and has had the pleasure of them returning to help with the club.

“I usually try and show up a little earlier to give the younger guys some coaching. Teaching other kids how to vault is really rewarding,” Roberts said.

The rewards of teaching are what drive Cockerham. At next year’s Reno Summit he plans to return from his recent knee surgery and clear 12 feet in the 56 to 60 age group.

But, he said, he’s not in it for the glory.

“I do not get paid for what I do,” he said. “I do it because I love it. I love teaching and coaching the kids. That’s what it’s about,” Cockerham said. “It’s the greatest feeling in the world when a kid clears the bar, jumps out of that pit, runs down the runway, grabs me and says thanks. It’s the greatest feeling there is.”