Pole Vaulting takes more than just speed and strength– it also takes focus, patience, and a lot of practice. SHS’s pole vaulters, Elise Wegner, 10, and Samantha Clyde, 9, tell The Leaf staff about their experience continuing to grow with this sport. In this O&A, they share the biggest challenges, most memorable moments, and more.
Q: What’s been your biggest challenge?
S: “Probably during the competitions, staying focused and working on my technique and what I need to do instead of the bar staying up or falling, along with keeping a positive energy and mind.”
E: “Working on my mindset. Pole vault is a mental sport, and as I jump at higher heights and use bigger poles, it gets more difficult.”
Q: What’s been your most memorable meet or moment so far?
S: “One of the home meets at Sycamore when all of the varsity kids were there, we were all just cheering each other on, it was a great time.”
E: “Our home meet last year, golden batons, was my most memorable meet. It was the first meet I had ever won and it was really special being able to do it with Iris after she had gotten me into vaulting over the summer.”
Q: What’s been your biggest accomplishment?
S: “Going to state this past season, and placing 5th. I’m glad that I could prove to myself that I can show up during high-pressure times.”
E: “Making it as far as I have. I definitely started a lot later than most vaulters and last summer I worked really hard to try to catch up.”
Q: What makes pole vaulting unique compared to other track and field events?
S: “I think it’s a unique sport, not many people do it and very few people are dedicated. The pole vault community is so small that you all know and see eachother every meet.”
E: “Pole vaulting feels like an entirely different sport and not just an event. I would also say the community is super special. I’ve met some of my really good friends, and it’s really awesome to have such a big community supporting you at meets.”
Q: How do you mentally/physically prepare for your competitions?
S: “Mentally, I would say watching my prior pole vaulting videos, going through just in my brain what technique I’m going to do, and really staying calm.”
E: “I like to go into each meet with a goal, whether it’s trying for a PR or working on improving a technique aspect of my jump. Then, while we’re on our way to meet, I have a playlist that I always listen to.”
Q: What’s a personal goal you set for yourself this season?
S: “I want to make it to outdoor state, it’s different then indoors because it’s more competitive and only the top two from each region will make it. Just making it to state, not even placing, would be a great accomplishment.”
E: “This season, to place in the top 3 at our GMC conference meet.”
