On Dec. 29, senior Charlie Vanecek, a long jumper and triple jumper in both winter and spring boys’ track and field, announced his commitment to Muhlenberg College.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Vanecek decided to do long jump and triple jump as his events because he was inspired by his fathers commitment to Lehigh University. “He [Charlie’s dad] is very influential with me wanting to try and start jumping,” Vanecek said, “he also helped me find a liking to it.”
Since starting track Vanecek has had his sights set on competing at the collegiate level and knew what it would take in high school to be able to get that chance to compete. Track and field jumps coach Mirjana Banic said, “Charlie is fully aware of the complexities involved in all disciplines of the sport. He is someone who works hard at his event and understands that it just doesn’t happen overnight.”
Vanecek is someone who goes into every meet and practice with determination and a hard-work ethic, which is seen by his teammates who he competes alongside with. Senior Jake Stinton said, “He’s almost always out doing something extra to practice, especially with the time he spends at high intensity.”
Always working at High Intensity Track in his free time has led Vanecek to breaking Westfields jump records, each of the past three years, and he is looking to do it again as a senior. One record that has stuck with Vanecek the most is the indoor junior triple jump record. “That meet I came in jumping 39 feet,” Vanecek said, “ I ended up jumping 41 feet 1.5 inches; that was a really big personal record and very exciting.”
Vanecek’s work ethic and knowledge of his sport is something younger track athletes have benefited from. Stinton said, “He always puts his best foot forward and is a great leader for both upperclassmen and lower classmen. He’s constantly motivating people to do their best by either giving tips or by showing them what to do.”
Similar to Stinton, Banic said, “His knowledge of the skill set needed and being able to see and identify mistakes or show ways to improve are beneficial to the younger athletes because he makes it relatable and can break it down step by step, or give a different explanation that can sink in better.”
Muhlenberg is a small liberal arts school in Allentown, PA and has an undergraduate class of about 1,788 people. Muhlenberg track and field competes in the NCAA Division III level and is coached by Amy Filanowski.
After receiving a letter from the school and touring it Vanecek said, “I went on an official visit and I ended up really liking the school and the coaches a lot.”
Looking forward, Vanecek said, “My expectations are to go in and try and have a fun time, meet all the new people on the team and try to help the team win.”
