Monte Vista High School is home to many elite sports programs. From basketball to volleyball to soccer, there is no denying that Monte Vista epitomizes athletic excellence. Nevertheless, there are many undervalued sports programs at Monte Vista, which tend to fly under the radar. Look no further than the Monte Vista High School pole vaulting team, which seems poised to breakout in the next couple of years.
So, what exactly is pole vaulting? Pole vaulting involves running with and gradually lowering a fiberglass pole that is specially designed to bend. Once lowered, the pole is “planted” into an aluminum “box” in the ground, which allows the pole to bend. Similar to how a spring compresses, in pole vaulting, athletes harness the energy created by the bend of the pole to launch themselves into the air. Pole vaulters must possess a combination of speed, strength, flexibility, and technique, each of which are instrumental towards success.
As a second year vaulter myself, I embarked upon this season eager to improve significantly. In my first season, I lacked the proper technique to consistently bend the pole and this hindered my development. This past season, however, I honed in on my technique, which directly led to my improved performance. With the guidance of my coach and encouragement from my teammates, I was able to increase my personal record by more than two feet, ending the season at ten and a half feet. My teammates experienced similar improvements, as we concluded the season with five vaulters going ten feet or higher. This remarkable improvement highlights the goal-oriented nature of pole vaulting, which encourages athletes to strive for new heights and personal bests. Andersen Lee, a first year pole vaulter at Monte Vista High School, reflected upon his first season. While admitting that he was “definitely a little scared at first, especially after [seeing] videos on the internet of poles snapping,” Lee recalled how he “took it slow with a low grip on the pole until [he] built up confidence” (Lee). Eventually, the pole vaulting motion became muscle memory for him, and now, it is seemingly effortless. Just like with any sport, in pole vaulting, practice allows athletes to develop repeatable habits, which help to establish a foundation of consistency.
This year, the Monte Vista pole vault team consisted almost entirely of underclassmen, with the exception of one Junior. Despite their youth, the team managed to send three qualifiers to the NCS Championships, two of whom were Sophomores. Of course, no team can flourish without a dedicated and engaged coach who challenges their athletes to strive for improvement. Luckily, Monte Vista pole vault has Coach Graham, the longest tenured coach and heart and soul of the Track and Field Program. Coach Graham is a former collegiate vaulter who often applies the knowledge that he gained from his own career when instructing his athletes. Coach Graham possesses the unique ability to empower his athletes, never failing to motivate them with his inspirational pep-talks and hilarious, yet effective analogies. He also has a way of connecting with his vaulters, helping to foster a sense of camaraderie amongst the team. Because of Coach Graham’s contributions and reliable presence, the Monte Vista pole vault team was able to make massive strides this season, and currently, boasts four of the top six EBAL vaulters in the Class of 2025. The Monte Vista Pole Vault program looks forward to building off of a strong season and welcomes anyone who is interested in trying out this exciting and rewarding sport!
By Dylan Reyes, Sophomore at Monte Vista High School
Dylan Reyes is a current Sophomore at Monte Vista High School. He is a first time author for the publication who loves creative writing. At Monte Vista, Dylan is an active member within his school community serving as a Sophomore officer in the Leadership class. Furthermore, Dylan is a proud Filipino American who sought to enrich the student body when he founded the first Filipino American Student Union at his school. Dylan’s role in the Danville Youth Council also allows him to stay updated about the latest news within our town. In his free time, Dylan enjoys talking about and playing basketball with his friends, playing fantasy football, and podcasting, a more recent hobby of his. Dylan is excited to pursue this writing opportunity and looks forward to highlighting all of the positive developments at Monte Vista High School and the Blackhawk Community at large.