Kelly Calligan, File Photo

Judging by how March went for her, San Diego State senior pole vaulter Erin Asay might want to stay indoors the rest of the season.

After she finished seventh in the nation at the NCAA Indoor Championships, Asay has found herself slipping in outdoor competition.

In a disappointing start to her outdoor season, the All-American has vaulted higher than 13 feet once in just three meets. And while some athletes can only vault 13 feet in their dreams, Asay recognizes her recent output as a cold reality.

Literally.

It’s seemed a rain cloud has followed wherever SDSU’s track and field team has competed in the outdoor season.

“I’ve been having really great practices, but at all the meets we’ve been to, the weather has been really (poor),” Asay said. “We’ve had headwinds, cross headwinds, rain – it has not been ideal conditions for pole vaulting.”

Assistant coach Jennifer Nanista said she believes the results have nothing to with her ability; it has to do with the conditions she’s having to vault in.

Asay will cross her fingers for better weather this weekend, when the team travels to Durham, N.C. to compete in the Duke Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

“This weekend, I’m hoping to jump big,” Asay said. “I think it’s time. It’s going to be a big turn-around this weekend.”

According to www.TheWeatherChannel.com, Durham should have a high of 84 degrees and sunny skies on Friday, when the women’s pole vault will take place. But, just in case the weather doesn’t improve, Asay and her coaches are preparing for any situation.

“We’ve been working with several different pole selections to see which one fits her the best,” pole vault coach Richard Fox said. “On different length poles, you actually jump a little bit different, so she’s just getting used to different lengths and different flexes.

“We’re getting prepared for conference championships and regionals at BYU, which is going to have very difficult wind and weather conditions.

Rain or shine, both Asay and the Aztec coaching staff believe she will return to her indoor-season form. She has already earned a qualifying mark to the outdoor regional tournament, which might lead to a berth in the outdoor national tournament this June in Sacramento, Calif.

“She is still the same jumper, health-wise and mentally,” Fox said. “She’s right there -she’s ready to go.”