One of the largest sports at Waterford High School is track. Made up of avid runners, nationally ranked jumpers, and people who simply want a sport to fill their time, track accepts all who sign up. But inside this large sport lies one of the smallest teams at WHS—the pole vault team.
Currently, the WHS pole vault team is composed of three people: Cecil Davis, Lucy Mullen, and Colleen Sturm. All three will be graduating this June.
Pole vault is one of the lesser-known sports at WHS, consisting of using a long pole to jump over a bar. Typically, the bar starts at six feet and increases by six inches until there is one winner. Each vaulter has three chances to clear the bar at a certain height, but if they fail to clear, they are out.
Pole vaulting is both difficult and dangerous to learn. It requires a great deal of technical and physical ability to clear the bar safely. This includes generating enough speed to propel forwards and having the arm and core strength to pull your body up on the pole. In the past, newer jumpers have learned these skills from more seasoned athletes, but after this year there will be no older vaulters to teach the newer recruits.
Though important, the physical requirement is not the most difficult aspect of the sport. Lucy Mullen, who started vaulting in the spring of 2025 and now has a personal record (PR) of seven feet, says the sport’s most difficult challenge is its mental toughness. Without someone to teach her, she claims she would have struggled to overcome these difficulties.
Cecil Davis began vaulting his sophomore year during the spring season and has a PR of 10’6”. He notes that though he might have been able to learn by himself, he does not think he would be nearly as good as he is now without instruction.
Mrs. Force, a WHS math teacher and a four-year track coach, says that though she understands the basics of pole vault, she would not feel comfortable teaching someone to vault as it is not her area of expertise. However, the coaches would not allow athletes to learn by themselves.
Over the years at WHS, vaulters have reached impressive heights. The boys all-time record is 13’6.25” and was set during the 2025 spring season by Ian Rush. The girl’s record is 8’6”, set during the 2018 spring season by Jennifer Keth, but the current vaulters hope to break the record this year.
From the anticipation of standing at your mark on the runway to the thrill of clearing new heights, pole vault is a fun way to get involved, stay active, and meet new people at WHS. Over the last year, the team has created a supportive, welcoming environment. Occasionally, the team holds dinners when a vaulter accomplishes their goals of the season. The team always makes sure to encourage others to learn the sport.
With Davis, Mullen, and Sturm’s fast-approaching graduation, the fate of WHS pole vault is unclear. After this year, there will be nobody left to teach athletes how to pole vault, unless a certified coach is hired or new athletes join. Because future vaulters would not be able to learn by themselves, pole vault could possibly die out at WHS. But for now, the remaining three vaulters strive to do their best in their final two seasons and remain hopeful that their beloved sport will continue to thrive after they graduate.
