Pole Vaulting

My daughter took up Track and Field and is fortunate to have a dedicated coach that is willing to work with the kids on his own dime in season and out of season.  The school has a nice pit and has been investing in poles.  The program has gone from non-existent to 4 boys and 4 girls competing.

In her first season she progressed from 5'-0" to 6'-0" by the end of the season.  In her second season, she improved further to 7'-0" and still hopes to get a state qualifying height of 7'-3".

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/SchoolRecords.aspx?SchoolID=14499

UPDATE:  She got her state qualifier and moved up the ranks of all time leaders at D'Evelyn.  The school record is 9'-6" set in 2003.  The mark of 7'-3" sets her up as the best women's vaulter at D'Evelyn since 2021.

Recently Katarina Stefenidi (2000 Olympic Gold Medalist) was at the Jeffco track and I had the opportunity to learn a little more about the history of women's pole vaulting.  

Pole Vaulting has been an Olympic men's sport since 1896 and for women since 2000.

High Schools started sanctioning women's pole vaulting in 1995 and Colorado followed suit in 1999.

The NCAA did not begin sanctioning women's pole vault until 1998.

With the relatively short history, I feel like female vaulters are pioneers.  Colorado is fortunate to have a small program run by Jack Lubbers in Yuma, Colorado.

At D'Evelyn, Coach Anthony Kim is the assistant coach in charge of pole vault. He has a son who is a vaulter.  He competed in high school and University of Minnesota, Morris before attending law school at Georgetown.  

At the 2024 USATF Masters in Sacramento, California he cleared 2.7 meters (8'-10") which was good for 2nd place among 50-54 year old men.