2nd Place-Shanghai Diamond League!

Last weekend I made a quick trip across the Pacific to China for the Shanghai Diamond League meet.  I went to this meet two years ago and at that time I was new on the world circuit and it was my first Diamond League competition.  This time I went in with lots of world experience and ready to give the top girls a run for their money!  I left Boston Wednesday morning for San Francisco.  In San Francisco I met up with U.S. vaulter Lacy Janson and we took the same 12.5 hour flight from SF to … Read more

Midwest, how I've oddly missed you

Last week was one of my favorite weeks of the year as far as vaulting goes! Funny enough, it takes place in the good ol’ Midwest. It began with Kansas Relays at KU in Lawrence. A majority of the top US girls were there, along with Ireland and Canada’s top vaulters, so it was a good competition. The wind tends to be a bit swirly because it is in a stadium, however we definitely couldn’t complain about the weather being dry and mid 60s! It seemed several of us struggled a … Read more

My Trip Down Under

I apologize for not writing in over a month, however sometimes I don’t think to write when I am between seasons.  Immediately following Indoor Nationals I went to Maryland with my mom for a week of wedding planning and mommy/daughter time.  It was a lot of fun to spend the week shopping, eating yummy food, and talking wedding stuff!  After that week I got back after it on the track with some tough running workouts, lifting, drills, etc. I was sore and fatigued, but I told my coach th … Read more

Indoor Nationals & World "A" Standard 15'1!

It’s taken me a bit to get around to writing this because right after nationals last weekend I flew back to Boston for a day and then hit the road again for a week of wedding planning in Maryland with my mommy!  It was a wonderful week full of tons of girl time & relaxation :)

So last weekend was Indoor US Nationals out in Albuquerque, NM.  I always love this location because my one college roommate, Ashlee, lives out there!  I am spoiled because I get to compete AND have … Read more

Millrose Games

The 106th Millrose Games took place this past weekend in NYC at the Armory.  It was great to be kind of in my home court between competing at the Armory, where I have competed since I was in high school, and competing in my sponsor’s backyard (the NYAC)!  Also, the officials at this meet are always so wonderful to us!  I have known the officials since high school so it is always great to see familiar faces.    

Warmups went well, so I came in at 4.40m (14’5) which is t … Read more

Ukraine & Poland--I'm so blessed...

Over the last week I traveled to Donetsk, Ukraine and then Bydgoszcz, Poland. Donetsk was for the world record holder, Sergey Bubka’s Pole Vault Stars competition. It is one of the best competitions every year and is quite an honor to get invited to! I was so excited! I went two years ago and the atmosphere is absolutely electric! I came into the meet the highest I have ever entered a competition because I am getting to that point where I should start coming in higher if I want to vault h … Read more

NB Indoor Grand Prix

After a quick trip across the pond last weekend it was super nice to not travel for a weekend as the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix was this past weekend right here in Boston!  The meet got a lot of hype as there were many of the top athletes in the world competing.  The atmosphere was great and I think the meet lived up to all the hype!  There were 5 of us in the women’s pole vault, including Olympic gold medalist Jenn Suhr.  I felt pretty good in warm ups and cleared a 4.30m bar ea … Read more

Five Nations w/ Team USA

I returned from Scotland yesterday with Team USA.  The Five Nations Match was in Glasgow, Scotland this past weekend.  The teams were USA, Russia, Germany, UK, and Commonwealth.  I have heard about this competition every year and thought it sounded fun, however some years it falls on the same weekend as the Pole Vault Summit and they don’t always have women’s pole vault.  This year it was the weekend after the Summit and there was no other big competition in the States for wom … Read more

Reno 2013--SUCCESS!!

I just got back from the Reno Pole Vault Summit this past weekend and all I can say is I wish we could rewind and do it all over again because it was so much fun!  Every year I have a blast, and this year was no different.  I got into Reno on Wednesday, which was nice to have that day to just relax before the hectic weekend.  Thursday morning I met with the St. Vincent guys and did an FMS screening.  I have done several of these and they are always good to assess where you are at physical … Read more

Where does the time go???

Where does time go??  I cannot believe the holidays are over, my trip to Miami to watch the Fighting Irish in the BCS National Championship game is done, and the Reno Pole Vault Summit is next week!  It is unreal…am I dreaming?  The holidays were wonderful back home in Buffalo, New York with my close friends & family.  I look forward to the holidays and time with loved ones so much so it’s always sad when it’s over.  Luckily I had a trip to Miami to look forward to … Read more

~First week training in Boston~

After a few weeks back at it training in South Bend I finally am back in Boston for good!  It feels great to be in such an awesome city and beginning a new chapter in my training here at MIT.  Boston has so much to offer, is a beautiful clean city, but isn’t overwhelming…I really think I am going to love it here!  I got in a solid week and a half of training here in my new city before breaking for Christmas break and I couldn’t feel better about where I am at :)  My coac … Read more

Flying Dragons PV Camp!

This past weekend my coach and I went down to Bloomington, IL to the Flying Dragons Pole Vault Club to help with a camp.  I always look forward to visiting the Flying Dragons because they have been some of my biggest supporters during my journey as a professional vaulter.  Their entire clubs success & the comradery they have between their amazing coach Mike Cockerham, the parents & the kids is simply inspiring.  Since day one I have felt like a part of the Flying Dragons family, bu … Read more

I SURVIVED!!!

Last week was my first official week back to hardcore training after a much needed break.  It consisted of 2-3 practices everyday (Sunday-Thursday).  Coach and I know that fall training goes by so quickly, especially with the holidays causing a few interruptions, and before you know it it’s January and time for Reno!  This year we decided to really get after it and get the reps in early so January didn’t arrive with us in a so … Read more

ND Olympian/Alternate Game Weekend!

This weekend I head back to South Bend to begin a training cycle there at my familiar stomping ground of Notre Dame & Bethel College…but before the hardcore training, I have a fun filled weekend ahead thanks to Notre Dame!  ND is bringing in their 2012 Olympians, and Olympic alternates (me), for a weekend full of fun and recognition for all our accomplishments.  It is such an honor to be included in this weekend and I am looking forward to it very much!  Friday we have a football … Read more

Starting Fresh :)

Hi fans!  I know it’s been longer than usual since I wrote last so I figured it was time to say hi.  Last I wrote I was headed overseas for one last meet in England, the Great North City Games, to represent the US and wear USA across my chest for one last hurrah.  April Steiner Bennett and I represented the US in the Great North City Games which is basically a street vault to the extreme!  There were 9 events, including women’s pole vault, men’s hurdles, 100m dash, 150m … Read more

One Last Hurrah, then BREAK!!!

I know it’s been a while since my last post, and for that I apologize!  Life has been quite hectic to say the least.  I took a 10 day trip to Europe for a few meets, came back and spent Labor Day weekend in Iowa for a wedding, went to Michigan for some fun this weekend which included a country concert by my favorite country artist, and now am getting ready to fly overseas for one last meet tomorrow!  In the midst of all this I have been packing and getting stuff done for my big move … Read more

Happy Gilmore Check & Happy Mary :)

I know I haven’t written in a few weeks, but in that time I’ve competed a few times and had to deal with some difficult situations that probably contributed to a NH and another low result. I was beginning to get discouraged and wonder what is wrong with me that I could vault 14’10 easy a month ago and now could hardly clear a bar. I had to talk to a few other vaulters and my coach to realize that sometimes there are outside factors that I can’t control and that are n … Read more

'Bama & A Weekend Off!!

Last weekend I went down to Alabama for the Dauphin Street Vault in downtown Mobile.  It was my first time to ‘Bama so I was pretty excited!  Plus, one of my best friends and college teammates is from Mobile so I wanted to see what it was all about!  Well it didn’t disappoint, aside from my unfortunate no-height.  I loved the feel of downtown Mobile and every person I ran into was so friendly, plus I am in LOVE with southern accents!  Unfortunately I arrived Friday night, vau … Read more

Gill & Grand Haven Recaps

Since the Trials I have had two fun meets, which are just what I needed.  First was the Gill Factory Field Fest which is always a great time!  This year it was 104 degrees out, 111 with the humidity.  YIKES!!  I love heat, but wow that is hot and your energy is drained so quickly.  We vaulted at 3 in the afternoon, so about the hottest point of the day.  So basically we hardly needed to warm-up.  I came in at 4.33m (14’2) and cleared it easy on my first attempt.  I later found o … Read more

Olympic Team Alternate

First off, I want to apologize for taking so long to finally sit down and write this post about the trials.  At first when I stepped off the mat I think I was just shocked.  No tears came to my eyes as I packed up my poles and waited to be escorted off the field.  As I was walked through the media zone, that is when it all hit me, just in time to have several people want to interview me.  I did my best to keep myself composed, but after the interviews I finally met up with my coach and th … Read more

Ready!

It’s Sunday, the official start of the week…the week of the Olympic Trials!  Last weekend I competed in the NY Diamond League and although it wasn’t the ideal result I wanted, it was just what I needed going into the trials.  I felt strong and fast on the runway, cleared a couple bars on my 15 foot poles and had some overall positives come from the competition.  Since NY I have been working on a couple good new cues that really clicked for me and my vault practices have b … Read more

Refreshed & Excited!

Tomorrow I head down to Louisville, Kentucky for a fun street vault, “Vault in the Ville”, right in the heart of downtown Lousiville!  Thanks to Chip Heuser’s hard work it’s looking to be an awesome venue and great time!  A group of some of the nation’s top elite vaulters will be there as we all gear up for the Olympic Trials in a few short weeks.  I am super excited to jump in a great atmosphere and hang out with some fun vaulter friends!

After returni … Read more

Brazil...

So I just got back to the hotel from the meet here in Rio and I wanted to do a blog post to get things off my chest, then I told myself I would put this trip behind me.  I no-heighted at both Sao Paul and Rio.  Frustration, anger, confusion, are all words I’m feeling.  I know I am capable of jumping high because I displayed that earlier this year.  My practices coming into this trip were some of the best practices of my life.  I know my abilities don’t just disappear overnigh … Read more

Disappointment in Doha

So I was all excited to go to Doha, Qatar for the first Diamond League of the year.  I figured hot weather would be the perfect place to jump high!  Well I don’t know what it was exactly, but from the start of warmups I felt super off.  I was having trouble getting in a rhythm of any kind on the runway.  I also wasn’t rolling over poles that I usually blow right through in warmup.  Something was just off and I was having trouble figuring it out.   I managed to clear my openi … Read more

Drake Recap

Oh Drake Relays…famous for being great weather leading up to the meet and right after, but being crappy during the meet haha.  So Saturday was the elite vault competition and as predicted it was in the upper 40s when we vaulted.  A lot of the girls seemed to struggle to get warmed up and in a rhythm.  My legs took a while to get turning over well, but I decided to come in at the opening height I usually come in around (4.30m-14 … Read more

Mall Vault 2012

Wednesday night was the mall vault that everyone talks about here in Des Moines leading up to the Drake Relays.  Last year was the first time they included the women and it was such a success they brought us back again!!!!  There were 6 men and 6 women, the top 5 men and women vaulters in the U.S. were among the group.  We were each paired up with a guy and our total heights were added at the end of the night to determine places and shopping spree gift cards!  My previous training partner … Read more

Taiwan & Time for a Break...

I finally am back in the US of A to stay for a while and better yet to remain in the same time zone! Yay!!! After World’s I returned to Indiana for less than 3 days before leaving for California for 1 day then Taiwan.  The Taiwan trip had been planned since January so looking back on it my coach and I said I maybe shouldnt have gone on the trip especially after just having traveled to Europe for World’s.  The jet lag was wearing on me and it was time t … Read more

Indoor World Champs!

Wow, what a trip!  Traveling to Istanbul with the US team for Indoor World Champs was an unbelievable experience!!!  It being my first US team, I was so excited and just wanted to take it all in.  Wearing the USA across my chest and having the opportunity to compete with the World’s best was something I’ve dreamed of.  I had high hopes for the competition and was excited coming off my PR performance at USA’s.  I felt ready mentally and physically to take on the best vaulters an … Read more

Indoor Nationals-New PR & ticket to Worlds!!

WOW is all I have to say!! I am sooo happy & excited!!  This past weekend was Indoor U.S. Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The weekend was incredible for a couple reasons, one being that one of my best friends and college roommates lives there AND I knew the women’s vault would be a great competition!  After Millrose Games a couple weeks ago my coach and I had a talk about what our game plan was going to be going forward.  I told him I would be game for whatever he felt wa … Read more

Millrose Games

I just got back from a fun weekend in NYC for the Millrose Games held at the Armory! The weekend was once again a step in the right direction with me clearing 4.40m (14’5) and finishing tied for 3rd place!  No, I didn’t walk away from the weekend completely satisfied by any means, however it is definitely progress so I will take that.  The atmosphere at the Armory was awesome with the fans and music—makes for a fun competition!  I was blessed to have two high school friends tra … Read more

National Scholastic Sports Foundation Interview

http://www.nationalscholastic.org/wherearetheynow/article/1068

Keeping My Head Up :)

This past weekend was the U.S. Open in NYC at Madison Square Garden.  What a great meet it was!  The energy was high at the Garden and the competition was tough in all events.  I went into the weekend feeling excited and confident!  Coming off my big NH at Reno I was anxious to compete again.  Warmups went well and the entire evening I felt great on the runway.  I felt strong, powerful, fast and was on the poles I should be to give me plenty of height for … Read more

~PV Summit 2012~

This past weekend was the famous Reno Pole Vault Summit that is put on each year by my amazing pole sponsor UCS Spirit!  It is always an awesome weekend to have hundreds of people come together for the love of the sport.  It’s so wonderful to talk to high school kids, college vaulters, coaches of all levels, Olympians, and just pole vault fans—truly unlike any other event!  My favorite part of the weekend is being surrounded by my fellow elite vaulters and being a role model fo … Read more

Grand Valley Meet

Well, I said my first meet was going to be a time to work out the kinks and tune-up for Reno next week and that is surely what it turned out to be.  Unfortunately I no-heighted and was very disappointed.  However, I try to take away something positive from every competition regardless of the result and I took away a couple good things from yesterday.  First, I got on my 14’7 poles for the first time which was good to feel those out again after being off them for so long.  Second, I … Read more

Time to get after it!!

Tomorrow I open my indoor season at Grand Valley State in Michigan!  We decided this would be a good tune-up meet before I head to Reno next week for the Pole Vault Summit.  I am excited, anxious and nervous all at once about starting to compete again.  It’s always interesting to see how the first meet or two goes to work out some of the kinks and see where I’m at.  Training has been going great and coach is happy, which is always good!  Yesterday I had another vault practice … Read more

Pre-Christmas Vault Practice

Earlier this week I got a first day of winter stomach bug haha.  It was not fun, but fortunately it only lasted about 24 hours.  So Thursday was my last vault practice for a week because we are using this week over the holidays as a lighter, recovery week while I am home with my family.  So considering how I was feeling in the beginning of the week I wasn’t sure how vaulting would go, but it went great!  I continued working on the things we’ve been working on lately like a sho … Read more

Fall Training Update!

So I figured it was time I make a post besides just welcoming you to my website!  I’m well into my fall training now and it is all going great, which makes me super excited!  So to backtrack, I had September and part of October completely off from any training, which was wonderful and completely necessary for my mental and physical health.  It’s a long season so by the end I think everyone needs some time away.  Mid-October my coach, Danny, sent me strength and conditioning wo … Read more

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my website, designed by one of my great high school friends Jess McLaughlin!  I am so excited to finally have a means of keeping you updated on my journey as a professional vaulter as I pursue my Olympic dreams.  Through my website, blog, Facebook and Twitter I will keep you updated on competition results, training, the obstacles faced by professional pole vaulters, and my life in general.  Thank you in advance for all the support!  I wouldn’t be where I am today without the … Read more