I am a pole vaulter... thats about the summary

I got into it in high school. I had always seen the pictures of my dad, but it wasn't til one day watching some people pole vaulting in person that I really wanted to do it. Ten years later here I am, with the sole purpose of being the best I can be.

Through pole vaulting I have gotten to see so many incredible places, and meet so many people. Taiwan, Germany, Belgium, Italy, a handful of other countries and nearly half the states. Though there have been many setbacks along the way, I continue to fight to be one of the best. No matter what happens, its been a crazy ride and feel lucky for all that I have gotten to see and do.

My PR is currently 18'5 3/4" inches, the goal is 17cm more this year, which puts me at 19'0.5". That in my eyes is an elite pole vaulter. Its the benchmark. And though I would ultimately like to jump higher, that is the first goal to reach. The other goal is to survive for 4 more years and take a shot at the 2012 Olympic Team. To accomplish this goal I moved down to Jonesboro Arkansas for a few months to train with Earl Bell, who coaches some of the finest vaulters in the US, including 5 different Olympians.

Some of my post collegiate highlights are qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Trials, winning my first ever international meet in Taiwan, and getting paid for setting a new meet record. 10,000 yen!

In college I was a 3 time all american, and a 5 time record holder. My school record of 5.53m still stands, although thanks to the great reputation the program has built, my biggest home is that that record is obliterated quickly! I couldn't have done it without my coach and friend, Dr. Bob Phillips, who guided me through so many tough times on and off the track. I truely feel lucky to have had such a great coach and individual help me along the way, and look forward to shared time with him, and my current coach Earl Bell.

In high school I was the 2001 indoor and outdoor Pennsylvania State Champion, and set a school record of 15'10 inches. But most importantly, I got to share all of those memories with my coach and father. Our time together training and traveling is truely special to me.