Oklahoma State University Athletics
Vaughn Breaks Indoor School Record
May 16, 2003 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Vaughn, a Houston, Texas native broke an 11 year old record of 18-05 set by Gloria Norman in 1987. The record breaking jump of 18-05.25 was set during the pentathlon events.
The pentathlon event is new to Vaughn but long jumping is not. A personal best of 18-7.25 has been accomplished by Vaughn during her many practice jumps in the past.
Jumping is second nature to her and she displays the hard work, confidence and motivation to build upon her recent accomplishment.
"When I made the jump at Kansas State, I felt as if I broke the record," said Vaughn. "It was a real slow run through but I was happy and felt it in my heart that this jump was a good one.
"Melody Vaughn is a hard worker and she is a real joy to work with," said first year assistant women's coach Victoria Fulcher.
The pentathlon provided a great deal of competition over the weekend, but with Fulcher behind her, the motivation to succeed was great.
"Coach Fulcher has been there for me and she has been pushing me all year long," said Vaughn. "Before I jumped, she told me that I could do it. She told me to just go out there and break that record, so I did it".
Even with the high level of competition in the Big 12 conference, there was no doubt in Vaughn's mind that the school record would be hers by season's end.
"I always had the feeling that I would one day break the indoor record," said Vaughn. "I felt sure of this after jumping 18-3 at the OU All-Comers meet on Dec. 5. After that jump, I knew that, that school record was coming down this year."
Another inspiration and motivator for Vaughn are her teammates. She joins teammates Tina Nixon and Latoyia Hinds in the long jump. The threesome combine to make one powerful group of jumpers for the Cowgirls. Nixon is the outdoor school record holder and Hinds has jumped 18-10 during her many run throughs in the past. Nixon and Hinds play a big factor in Vaughn's success.
"Tina, Latoyia and I are together as a team," said Vaughn. " When we jump, you do not see us separate. We all finish close together."
Nixon and Hinds are not in the pentathlon event with Vaughn this year but they are right there by her side rooting her on.
"Tina and Latoyia were not with me this weekend but they motivate and push me. They are right there, just like they are competing with me," said Vaughn.
Indoor season looks bright but outdoor season is where Vaughn has her sights.
"Indoor season is a practice for me because the pentathlon is not a national event and the outdoor heptathlon is," said Vaughn. " The indoor pentathlon gives me the practice I need and then I just have to focus mainly on two events, the javelin and 200m". Practice and competition time will also be given in the open long jump, 200m and hurdle events.
Long term indoor goals for Vaughn consist of smashing her current long jump record, putting it way out of reach for a while and finding her way to the national championship meet.
"I would like to go to nationals this year, if not in any open events, then the relays," said Vaughn. "I think that we have a good chance".
Vaughn currently finds herself holding three of the top four all-time indoor long jump performances at OSU. Aside from her new school record and her number three performance on December 5, she holds the fourth place performance of 17-11.25 jumped at the 1997 Wildcat Invitational.
Her first pentathlon was tough and there was a great deal of competition, but success is in sight.
"I do not worry about tough competition, I just focus on improving upon my form and technique," said Vaughn. "If I do this, I should find myself in the top of the conference by season's end".
Melody Vaughn practices, competes and excels in seven different events and also the relays but will always have her heart and mind set on one special event, the long jump.
