Sports have always been a source of entertainment, encouraged active recreation, and fostered a global community. Participating in sports builds self-confidence and forms lasting relationships and strong habits.
Boulder High has a prominent body of student-athletes. Currently, we are mid-way through track season. Generally, when the word “track” is mentioned, the hundred-meter dash and relays come to mind. However, the “field” part of track and field is just as important. Long jump, triple jump, high jump, discus, shot put, and pole vault are some of the most exciting events to watch when at a track meet. There are over one hundred student-athletes who are busy competing in dozens of meets along the front range this season. Despite the joy that the hundred-meter dash and the other many popular field events bring, few manage to consider the extraordinary sport of pole vaulting.
Pole vaulting was not initially meant to be a competitive sport. According to Britannica, it was a means of crossing inconvenient terrain such as rivers, marshes, or ditches. The first competition involving these rather long sticks for height and entertainment was in 1843. Since then, the sport has evolved into a popular worldwide track and field event.
Pole vaulting requires speed, strength, agility, and willingness to be a stickler with technique. Pole vaulting is unique because it’s almost a combination of all of the track events together, yet it is completely different. It involves sprinting, strength, agility, and precise coordination, much like the high jump and the sprinting events. Pole vaulting compiles all these components to achieve one goal: height. Pole vaulting is broken down into seven phases: the approach, plant, takeoff, follow through, swing, invert, and finally – the clearance. Track and field is also the type of sport to have multiple things going on at once. Pole vaulting takes place in the background throughout the track and field race day schedule. One may never really know how long this event might last.
This sport involves a rather long stick and, hopefully, a large mat. Pole vaulting is typically not a track and field event option until high school. Pole vaulting is not usually the thing someone is specifically looking for. For instance, Cohen Janssen Roets ‘24 initially wanted to join pole vaulting to cross-train for football. Like many pole vaulters, Cohen sought training with Pat Manson. Pat Manson, a former internationally competitive pole vaulter, now coaches high schoolers in Colorado at Above The Bar, an independent pole vaulting club. Boulder High’s varsity pole vaulters who train at Above The Bar are Cohen Janssen Roets, ‘24, Amy Perkins, ‘24; Thadeus Hauw, ‘24, and myself, Lucy Paradise, ‘26. Sometimes, pole vaulters start because of friends or coaches from other sports. Or it could just be pure spontaneity; I thought that the people jumping with a pole super high and landing on that large mat looked fun, so I decided to join. Amy Perkins, ‘24, was introduced to pole vaulting through her gymnastics coach, “[he] had suggested that I try pole vaulting.” Coincidentally, Helen Ireland was also directed to pole vaulting the same way and was eager because she knew Perkins was already vaulting. If you dare to start pole vaulting, it is a sport in which you never know what can happen. Thadeus Hauw ‘24 had an exciting experience recently, “I was going down the runway, and when I planted, the pole went sideways. My back was on the pit, but I was still holding the pole in the box. When I let go, the pole hit my arm and went 30ft in the air.” Despite the absurdness of this sport, it can be hilariously fun to try.
The physicality and coordination that are required in pole vaulting are undeniable, but recently, talking to fellow pole vaulters, I realized that the mentality aspect it takes is more of a feat to achieve. Cohen Janssen Roets ‘24 says, “Honestly, the hardest part about pole vaulting and what makes it so unique to me is the mental aspect of it. Once you get down the form, it is all about what’s in your head,”. We all know that facing fears is not necessarily fun, fear of height can impact your willingness to pole vault. Amy Perkins ‘24 says, “I think managing fear is harder,”. The aspect of inverting upside down at a considerable height and sprinting with a long pole can raise a red flag for your brain. Thadeus Hauw ‘24 says, “When you’re running down the runway, it feels like you’re running into a brick wall.” Pole vaulting is awesome, but there is no doubt that it can be challenging to grasp psychologically.
There is no judgment if you still need to figure out what to think about pole vaulting. It is a peculiar sport. However, next time there is a track meet, consider coming to cheer the pole vaulters on. The pole vaulters are a small and humorous group. If you like lots of adrenaline, consider joining!
