Pole Vault Carolina is an indoor/outdoor pole vault facility located in Durham, NC. Usually 60-90 minutes in length.
3. Jose is a USATF Certified Coach.
We are dedicated to assist athletes of all ages and skill levels achieve greatness in pole vault, high jump, long jump, and in life! We coach a selective group of athletes, based more on their accomplishments as individuals and character rather than on their performance on the track. We train our athletes to WIN and to BELIEVE that they can fly over the crossbar as well as through all obstacles in
life. Our athletes are training to participate in key competitions during 2014 such as New Balance Nationals, NCHSAA State Championships, Junior Olympics, USATF Youth Nationals, CAC Juniors, and IAAF World Juniors.
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Our objectives are to…
1. Develop an environment in which highly motivated athletes can achieve excellence as pole vaulters / Decathletes / Heptathletes / hurdlers as well as individuals.
2. Maximize results through small and efficient practices, with minimum wait times. Provide individual coaching that improves technique while maximizing areas of strength and abilities.
4. Prepare each individual to compete at their highest level, whatever level that is for each individual.
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We provide practices 4 days per week and host meets during the indoor and outdoor seasons. Pole Vault Carolina facility is located int 2415 Presidential Drive, Suite 114 Durham NC 27703. Indoor facility - the only indoor trashing facility in the RTP area. Pole Vault Pit, 100' Mondo runway, Astroturf throughout facility, hurdles, drills and weight equipment, and Rogue rig. Outdoor facility - 50 meters Astroturf area with Pole Vault Pit, 120' elevated Mondo runway, long jump facility, hurdles, and a High Jump pit. All poles are provided
No set up or tear down!!! Equipment is permanently set.
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Coaching Staff...
Jose R. San Miguel grew up in Puerto Rico, and excelled in a variety of sports during his youth including Judo, Baseball, and Basketball. Jose was first exposed to track and field as a spectator in 1979 during VIII Pan American Games held in Puerto Rico. Jose’s dedication and support from his family allowed him to excel in many events for which he was considered not to be a natural fit (too short, too slow, or not strong enough). By his senior year in high school at Colegio San Jose, Jose was the HS national champion in Long Jump, Pole Vault, and Decathlon, while runner up in the 110H and High Jump. In 1984, Jose enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico (Mayaguez) on an athletic scholarship. In 1986 he transferred to the University of Tennessee Knoxville where he continued to excel as a pole vaulter under the coaching of Jim Bemiller (Jim eventually coached Olympic medalist Lawrence Johnson and Tim Mack). Jose graduated from University of Tennessee in 1989 with a BA in Psychology and Business Administration. His athletic accomplishments included championships at the junior, collegiate, and national levels. Represented Puerto Rico in international competition in the pole vault and decathlon from 1982-1988. After being absent from the sport for over 21 years, Jose started to coach pole vaulters and hurdlers at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh NC. In 2009-2010 the program had 8 pole vaulters. In 2010-2011, the program grew to 21 pole vaulters. In 2010, Jose founded Pole Vault Carolina to conduct clinics in the Raleigh NC Area. Jose is a member of coaching staff for Team Puerto Rico 2012 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in El Salvador, 2014 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Mexico. The lessons learned as an athlete of perseverance, dedication, work ethics, and ability to perform under pressure has played a significant role in Jose’s success in life and in business. Jose is married to Adelina Correale, and have 3 children Jose, Sofia, and Antonio.
05/29/2026
Pole Vault Carolina’s ULTIMATE Summer Camps!
With focused training in gymnastics, Olympic lifts, hurdles, and running mechanics, this camp is designed to improve your pole vault performance.
There will be a strong emphasis on technique, and athletes will see significant progress in a supportive and challenging environment.
Athletes take numerous jumps!
Beginner/Intermediate Camp June 23 - 25 9 am - noon
Advanced Camp July 21 - 23
9 am to noon
Registration links are in our Bio.
Photo Credits: Dan Loughlin, Doug Hague
PoleVaultCarolina pole vault camp Durham North Carolina
05/22/2026
2026 OUTDOOR STATE MEET RECAP🎉:
22 athletes competed in 11 contests over a 4 day period in 2 different cities.
15 of the 22 athletes finished in the top 4 spots of their classifications, or 68% of those competing.
We have 5 new state champions!
Ben Altenburg 3A with a new personal record of 16’2”!
Ryan Yoder 5A
James Witt 8A
John David Spatola NCISAA Div. 1
Danica McCarron NCISAA Div. 1
4 athletes finished with silver medals!
Gwyneth Overton 8A
Ruby Benson 2A
Jack Thomas 6A
Lucie Haws NCISAA Div. 1
4 athletes finished with bronze medals!
Tessa Kranick 7A
Lizzie Surface 5A
Kyro Stancil 4A
Anna Savage NCISAA Div. 1
2 athletes finished in 4th place!
Zach Hinson 7A
Elise Davis 7A, with a new personal record of 12’!
5 athletes jumped new personal records!
Addison Thunell, James Nestor, Ben Altenburg, Kyro Stancil , Elise Davis
Congratulations to all Pole Vault Carolina athletes and to all competitors! 🎉
05/20/2026
Danica McCarron of Cary Academy is the NCISAA Division 1 State Champion! 🎉
This is Dani’s 4th state championship title!
05/20/2026
James Witt of Athens Drive High School is the NCHSAA 8A State Champion!🎉
This is James’ 2nd state championship title!
05/20/2026
Ben Altenburg of Northwood High School is the NCHSAA 3A Outdoor State Champion! 🎉
This is Ben’s 3rd state championship title in the pole vault!
05/20/2026
Ryan Yoder of Seaforth High School is the NCHSAA 5A Outdoor State Champion! 🎉
This is Ryan’s 3rd state championship title!
05/20/2026
John David Spatola of Durham Academy is the NCISAA Division 1 State Champion!🎉
This is John’s first state championship title in the pole vault!
05/14/2026
POLE VAULT CAROLINA and the Outdoor State Championships!
25 athletes.
3 state championships in 3 different cities.
12 separate meets.
One master tactical and logistical plan for poles.
So much gratitude for it all!
Congratulations to all Pole Vault Carolina athletes who are competing in their state championships! 🎉
05/14/2026
POLE VAULT CAROLINA and the Outdoor State Championships!
24 athletes.
3 state championships in 3 different cities.
12 separate meets.
One master tactical and logistical plan for poles.
So much gratitude for it all!
Congratulations to all Pole Vault Carolina athletes who are competing in their state championships! 🎉
05/07/2026
We were so happy to celebrate Danica McCarron’s commitment to Dartmouth College with her family, friends, and teammates!
Dani has spent much time on the Pole Vault Carolina leaderboard as the number one senior, number two junior, and number two freshman. Dani is the first Pole Vault Carolina athlete to compete at the Millrose Games and was US # 10 for the 2026 Indoor Season.🎉
Dani is #4 all time for NC Indoors and enjoyed the top spot in North Carolina for the 2026 indoor season with her PR of 13’4.
More than her stats, Dani is a supportive friend and teammate who will leave Pole Vault Carolina better than she found it!
We would like to give a shoutout to the Cary Academy coaches for their unwavering support of Dani throughout her career.
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