USATF Indoor Championships is underway, and we are covering the event as we write this editor note. What a joy to have our photographers on deck taking some of the best images available of the athletes as they clear the bar. Elite and College vaulting is red hot as we continue through the indoor season with a new American Record. Also, high school is just starting up and we will surely see some highlights from that as well. Boy has covid taken its toll on the high school athlete. Numbers are up, but with no time on pole the requirements to progress onto the upper round to state are extremely low. Only time will tell what the future has in store.
On the cover we have a Chris Nilsen as he breaks the National Indoor Record for the men. While traveling abroad there was plenty of action and time for these athletes to put the work in. “On February 5, 2022, Nilsen broke the American Indoor Pole Vault Record with a vault of 6.02 meters, 19 feet 9 inches. At the Perche en Or, an elite pole vault meet held in Tourcoing, France, Nilsen made history yet again.”
Huge shout out to Abbey Hope as she sends a warning to all athletes that pole vault can change your life. Many know this already, but just in case Abbey is driving it home. “Fast forward time and I broke my schools vault record won the state championship for my division and signed with a college.” That is just the tip of the ice burg as we follow along throughout her journey.
The Dad Hat - Now, don’t you mess her up! As I awoke one early morning this article came through our email. I started the first sentence and before I knew it, I was finishing the article. What a great piece by Dan Bush. ““Now, don’t you mess her up,” he said. His words sent an uncomfortable jolt of adrenaline pin-balling around my stomach. I hoped he couldn’t hear the plinking sounds of diamonds hitting the floor under my seat due to the extreme, squeezing pressure building within.” What a treat and many times in life we have been blessed, and this is one of those times.
Dylan Yarbrough is flying high, and we added to the title stating that it’s a family tradition. It’s pleasing to meet a young athlete at one of our meets and they receive an article from this young man. An 8th grader out of San Diego and a wordsmith at that! “My dad was a pole vaulter throughout high school and college. He pole vaulted at Los Altos High School, and when he was in his freshman year he jumped 10’0”, sophomore year 11’6”, junior year 13’0”, and senior year 14’6”.” Houston, we have a problem, Dylan may just out jump his father before you know it. Keep the articles coming Dylan.
Next month is April and unbelievably it is our 120th issue of Vaulter Magazine. 10 years have passed with this print magazine, social media, training facility, club, and so much more. They said it would last a few months and we would go away. Well, here we are heading for the next 10 years.
