University of Richmond Athletics
20 Questions with Devin Cassels
04/10/2012 | Women's Track & Field
Editor's Note: Throughout the 2012 season we will interview a Spider Track & Field athlete each week and have them answer a set of 20 questions about their lives both in and out of the sport. This week we sit down with senior Devin Cassels.
RichmondSpiders.com (RS): As a senior member of the program, what do you consider your fondest memory from your time with the team?
Devin Cassels (DC): Breaking the school record at my last home meet with my parents in attendance was an amazing experience.
RS: Of all your teammates, both past and present, from whom have you learned the most and why?
DC: I've learned the most from Megan Ney. She really took me under her wing my freshman year and showed me how to prepare and compete at the college level. College athletics requires a totally different level of commitment than high school, and she helped me make that transition.
RS: What will you miss the most about your time as a Spider?
DC: Definitely my teammates. They've become some of my best friends over the course of my four years here, and I know I'll miss seeing them on a daily basis.
RS: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment both in and out of the sport?
DC: Within the sport, I'm really proud that I broke our school record in the vault. Outside of track, I think my greatest accomplishment has been maintaining a strong academic record while competing as an athlete.
RS: You broke a nearly four-decade-old record in the pole vault at last week's Fred Hardy. Can you speak to your mentality heading into the meet and your emotions after setting the record in your final home meet?
DC: The two meets prior to Fred Hardy were very frustrating because I was feeling better both physically and technically than I ever had, but it wasn't translating into good jumps. Going into the meet I adjusted the poles I was planning to use as well as my starting height. I was really excited to be able to jump at home in front of my friends from school as well as my parents. I remember feeling a huge wave of relief before I even hit the mat on the way down after clearing 14'6.
RS: With your name now beside the school record, what other goals are you looking to achieve in your final season?
DC: My biggest goal is to finish in the top three at the A-10 Championship in May. I think achieving the 14'6 mark at this point in the year is a great step towards the 15' to 15'3 jump that I'll need to hit to reach this goal.
RS: Pole vault would seem to lend itself to funny, embarrassing or otherwise interesting stories. Anything stick out in your mind you'd like to share?
DC: Pole vaulting accidents are always pretty funny after they're over, but really scary if you're actually in the middle of them. One time during my sophomore year, I was trying to jump on bigger pole and it was hot so my grip wasn't very good. The pole shot out of my hands and I ended up doing a backflip into the pit... The split second when you have no idea where the ground is or if you'll make it into the mats is pretty scary. Pole vaulters tend to be a little crazier than most, though, so as long as you don't get hurt you just laugh it off and try again.
RS: If your teammates gave you a superlative, what would it be?
DC: Last year my teammates gave me "Most Likely to Be a Millionaire".
RS: When did you first begin competing in the pole vault? What led you to this event in particular?
DC: Growing up my main sports were football and basketball, but I also played baseball through the eighth grade. When I got to high school, I was looking for something new to fill out the spring season and decided to go out for track. The first week we all had try-outs for all of the events to see what we could do: running the mile, long jumping, sprinting, etc. None of my tryouts were very good, and at the end of the week my coach came up to me and asked if I would try the pole vault because nobody else would do it. So I essentially ended up in the vault by default, but it's worked out really well! I don't think either my coach or I would have thought I'd still be vaulting.
RS: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
DC: Before the first jump of every meet, I eat an after-dinner mint from a restaurant in my hometown. I got a personal-best after eating one right before a meet in high school, and I've done it ever since.
RS: Who are your greatest role models both in and out of the sport?
DC: Within the sport, Sergey Bubka always amazes me. He's had the world record of 20'2 since 1994. We once put our standards up to 20 feet just to look at it, and it seems impossible that anyone could jump that high. Outside of the sport, my parents are my biggest role models. They've taught me so much and have played the single biggest role in shaping who I am.
RS: What is your major and dream job?
DC: I'm a mathematical economics major, and my dream job would be GM of the Boston Red Sox.
RS: And now for the obligatory question for the college senior - What are your plans for after graduation?
DC: After graduation I'll be working as an analyst for the Portfolio Strategy group at SEI Investments.
RS: What has been your favorite class here on campus? Favorite professor?
DC: My favorite professor is Dr. Fenster. I learned way more than just linear algebra by taking her class. My favorite class was Portfolio Theory.
RS: Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?
DC: My favorite spot is my apartment because I love hanging out with my four roommates. There's never a dull moment!
RS: If you could spend the day with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
DC: The actual character of House on the TV show "House, M.D." I've always thought he would be one of the most interesting people to be around if he were a real person.
RS: What is your favorite pro sports team? Favorite athlete?
DC: My favorite team is the Detroit Lions, and my favorite athlete is Barry Sanders. He was the most exciting athlete I've ever watched, and I loved the way he just flipped the ball to the referee after an amazing touchdown like nothing had happened.
RS: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one person and thing would you like to have with you?
DC: I'd bring my brother and a laptop full of music.
RS: Let's say you could have the perfect meal prepared for you. What would it be?
DC: A sample of all kinds of sushi with strawberry shortcake for dessert
RS: What's something interesting about you that most people don't know?
DC: I once jumped into a pond mid-round of golf to save a drowning dog. It was getting sucked in by the fountain system and couldn't get away. The last two holes were pretty wet!
Players Mentioned
