'Minutewoman Maggie' Gallops to New England Beach Vault!

One if by land, two if by sea, Minutewoman Maggie is on a fast gallop from Grain Valley, Kansas, to New England Beach Vault 2013.

Author Grant Overstake received an email on Sunday, inviting his storybook heroine, Maggie Steele, to share the award stand this Saturday at beautiful Narragansett Town Beach, RI, where his novel, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, will be presented as special awards.

"Of course,  we said, 'Sure, she can make it!'" Overstake said. "And then we felt the panic set in, wondering if she could really get there in time. But, knowing Maggie, I'm sure she can."

The New England Beach Vault is the only beach vault in New England. Event organizer, Coach Douglas Lang is delighted to learn that one of this year's newcomers will be the most inspirational storybook pole-vaulter in the nation. Maggie is a gutsy farm girl who overcomes tragedy and soars to new heights as a pole-vaulter. Her story has been endorsed by US Olympic vaulters, teachers, and many others -- including Coach Lang -- who identify with the book's inspiring message for young people.

"We've heard nothing but good things about Maggie's appearances,” Coach Lang added. “We're looking forward to seeing Maggie at the beach!”

The feeling is totally mutual.

"Maggie has never been to New England before, so she's totally stoked for what promises to be a totally awesome experience," Overstake said. "Of all the great things that have happened to Maggie, this is one of the best."

"New England girls are gritty and gutsy when it comes to sports," Overstake added. "They like hockey and football and lacrosse.  And of course they love pole-vaulting. Maggie should feel right at home there."

Co-sponsored by the aptly named Patriot Pole Vault Club and Mansfield Athletics, the New England Beach Vault attracted more than 30 vaulters to its inaugural event last year.

It felt like summer at Narragansett Beach, despite the cool breezes, constant overcast and occasional drizzles of rain.  Friends, family, and coaches came out to watch the event, where vaulters were literally steps from the ocean as they cleared crossbars on a totally awesome day.

Kansas-born Maggie did some research to learn more about Rhode Island and New England. She already knew Rhode Island is the smallest state in area, but she didn't know that its official name is The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

"We got to talking about the Minutemen and the Revolutionary War," the author added. "Maggie did some searching and found that there are Minutewomen up there, too. The University of Massachusetts men are called Minutemen and their women athletes are called Minutewomen. Maggie thinks she could be a good one, because she's been galloping off to street vaults and pole-vault camps on a moment's notice, all summer long."

When it comes to visiting the biggest and smallest contiguous states, Maggie will have been to both of them. In June, Maggie visited Texas, the largest contiguous state in the nation, for the Texas River Vault Championship.And, when it comes to having visiting some of the nation's best settings for beach vaults, Maggie shared the award stand at  the Florida Beach Vault 2013, Saturday July 20th, at one of the most beautiful places in the world, Clearwater Beach. And now, she's off to New England's most beautiful shore.Narragansett Town Beach is a classic New England Saltwater Coastal Beach that offers some of the best, cleanest and accessible beach conditions for residents and tourists in New England with attendance up to 10,000 patrons per day. Located in the center of town, the beach offers a beautiful sandy beachfront, just perfect for a pole-vault runway. In fact, Narragansett Town Beach Ranks No.14 on Yankee Magazine’s List of the 25 Best Beach Towns in New England.The town of Narragansett (nicknamed "Gansett") occupies a narrow strip of land running along the eastern bank of the Pettaquamscutt River to the shore of Narragansett Bay. The population is about 16,000, but during the summer months the town's population more than doubles to near 34,000.

Registration is still open! Learn more about the New England Street Vault 2013 here.