When most people think of track, minds generally go toward the running events. When you dig a little deeper things like long jump, or shot put come to mind as well. But the secret talent of the track team is none of those, infact their event is so unique they don’t even practice at least. Pole vault. The Lincoln east pole vaulters are consistently adding up the points for the team and leading the Spartans to victory, but are highly underappreciated.
At the varsity level, East has two standout pole vaulters, seniors Sofia Roberts, and Malachi Malay. Both of these student-athletes have been vaulting at East all four years of their high school careers. But while they are still part of the team, you won’t see them at the track during practice hours. Most high school tracks around Lincoln don’t have the landing systems built into the track to support the vaulters, in fact all but two are missing these, Lincoln High and Lincoln Northwest are the only tracks that have accommodations for Lincoln’s pole vaulters.
Most of the time vaulters practice at Lincoln High with some exceptions leading them to practice at Northwest’s UBT stadium. Their practice schedule differs from that for a normal track athlete with practice not starting until 4pm, and certain days set out for specific skillsets. Each day, the vaulters work on different things to perfect their pole vaulting abilities. These days include, jump days, strength days, gymnastics skills days, pre-meet days, meet days, post-meet days, and off days.
While to many athletes this seems like an added hassle to an already difficult sport, it is entirely worth it to pole vaulters who enjoy this sport and everything it comes with.
“I enjoy pole vaulting because it is a very mentally hard sport, and demands a lot of form based on movement,” “It is like a big puzzle, and not everything is as easy as it seems, sometimes you have to put the pieces together to form the whole picture.”
Not only is the sport itself alluring to vaulters, but also the community it brings along with it. Since there are only a few spots in Lincoln to practice, all high school vaulters in Lincoln practice together. This has created unique relations with one another that are rooted in so much more than competition.
“I have met my best friends through pole vaulting,” Roberts said. “The coaches are some of the most faithful people and the best role models in my life and it’s just SO MUCH FUN!”
Now East’s two senior vaulters are looking for a medal at the state championship meet and hoping to achieve their goals in earning their spot on the podium.
“My goals for this season are to just enjoy what time I have left, and not be too hard on myself so that I don’t enjoy it,” Roberts said. “Also to put everything there on the runway so that no matter what I feel like, I know I’ve done my best.”
Pole vault is a unique sport in itself, with lots of literal and figurative ups and downs, but it is very rewarding as well. Not only do you get to compete in an unparalleled sport, but you also get to make lasting connections with athletes you never would’ve met otherwise.
“My best piece of advice is to try it. For the last 3 years not one other boy has gone out for pole vault, and I don’t know why. While pole vaulting isn’t the easiest thing, it is a chance to do things you have never tried before. The best pole vaulters are the ones who live a challenge and figure out how to do it,” Malay said. “Just try it and don’t quit when it gets hard because when it gets hard is when you are able to figure it out.”
