Roberts Wesleyan Pole Vault

2024 Review:

Straight from my phone camera roll (and there are 100s of pics beyond these!)

When Roberts Wesleyan Pole Vault formed we had goals that extended beyond “jumping high”. Building the atmosphere, teaching work ethic, responsibility, holding athletes accountable, team work, being there for one another, and of course…being the best pole vaulter you can be.

The year 2024 went beyond what we had on our goal sheets. We are entering 2025 season with a family of 15. We are so proud to be called your Coaches.

2024 Breakdown:
Records Broke
Conference Wins1st Ever Roberts Wesleyan NCAA National Champion…TWICE
Olympian Made
Knee injured - Knee fixed (New Year New Knee!)
Family Formed

Braden Shaw set an Official Indoor PR of 15’3” (a new indoor best by 5”) for his 1st meet as a Redhawk and became #4 on the All-Time RWU list.

Austin Melvin set an Official Indoor PR of 15’3” (a new indoor best by 21”. That’s almost 2 feet!) and in his 1st collegiate meet ever he became tied with #4 All-Time in RWU history.

Melia Couchman (see previous post) set a new OVERALL PR at 12’11 1/2” which is a personal best by 3”! She became Roberts Wesleyan Universities #3 All-Time vaulter (indoor/outdoor combined) and had the meet of a lifetime but ended with an injury. We will keep you updated on the results as she sees an orthopedic doctor and gets an MRI.

Karis Kraf set an Official Indoor PR of 11’ 11” (a new indoor best by 17”). Her first collegiate meet has set her up for an amazing Freshman season!

Alex Robertson set an Official Indoor PR of 12’5.5” (a new indoor best by 11”) and hit the D2 Provisional Mark and became #4 All-Time in Roberts history.

Brynn King opened up with 14’9” (4.50) which is her highest ever opener. She is just starting her long run training and the rest of indoor is looking 🤩.

Learning to be meet savvy and have meet management is all part of the collegiate experience.

Each time these athletes compete they will learn how to stay warm between jumps, clock management, how to have an effective warm up, pre meet nutrition, and how to deal with meet adrenaline PLUS so much more!

The season is looking 😍 and we can’t wait to have all the vaulters jump together in January at our first team meet after break!

‘This the season for Harvesting Plugs

🍭 Melia with a new 6 left PR of 13’

A shorter run, a lower grip and less pole and she made 13’ again.

Melia is working on correcting some elements of her jump and the results are proving to be successful! Last video was an attempt at 13’6!!

Who wants to see another long run day from her?!?! 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️

👑 Brynn King with an All Time Indoor best of 15’6”

Impressive for many reason!
1. Flat runway and not on her full competition run

2. Only her second time on 15’ poles since August at the Olympic Games

3. The actually height cleared this early 😳

4. This is her 2nd 15’ pole in her series. She has been on 4 bigger than this.

5. Extremely early in her training calendar

Brynn took a real off season after the Olympics and did a real Pre-Season. She hasn’t taken long runs and jumps about once a week. For her to be able to adjust with new drills and new focuses in her jump this early and stick a 15’6” is very exciting.

I love watching Rick study her jumps and come up with new ways to address where she is weak in her lifts/running/technique.

In the last two weeks they have kicked it all up a notch and the results are showing they are on the right track.

Brynn opens up in 9 days with her first meet of the 24/25 season.

Alex with a 5 left PR of 12’3” and her attempts at 13’ 🤗 from 5!!!!

New muscles were sore from new drills on Saturday…I think that might have set a light bulb off for Alex. She came out today with the most consistent practice of takeoff to inversion she has ever had.

Wednesday she backs up to her 7 left competition approach. Stay tuned….