GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The past month has been an exciting one for the University of North Dakota track and field team's pole vaulters, featuring a trip to the National Pole Vault Summit and a spot on the cover of VAULTER Magazine.
This year's Summit was held in Reno, Nev., Jan. 16-17. The annual two-day event provided the North Dakota pole vaulters with a great chance to develop their own skills while learning from some of the best in the sport.
“I think the trip was a great success,” track and field assistant coach Joe Silvers said following the event. “Words can't describe the inspiration and motivation that you get from attending the National Pole Vault Summit.”
According to Silvers, the Summit promotes the development of pole vault through education on safety, technique, and training. Those in attendance have the opportunity to interact directly with Olympians, elite-level coaches, and other champions on the national and international stages.
The Summit includes clinics and breakout sessions designed to promote safety and a better understanding of the sport. It also includes a competition that features some of the best pole vaulters in the world, such as France's Renaud Lavillenie, an Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder.
“Having the opportunity to hear some of the greatest vaulters in the world speak about the sport is priceless for our athletes,” Silvers said. “The knowledge and understanding of the event that they gain from this experience boosts their abilities and understanding.”
UND had four vaulters competing at the Summit. Senior Tyler Colling (Forest Lake, Minn.) finished ninth in the first college men's group, reaching a mark of 15 feet, 5 inches (4.70 meters). Fellow senior Jordan Fisk (Langdon, N.D.) took second in the second college men's group, with a mark of 15-03.00 (4.65).
On the women's side, freshman Erin Harris (Sidney, Mont.) and junior Hailey Brinkman (Grey Eagle, Minn.) both competed for North Dakota in the third group of college women. Harris placed third, hitting a mark of 10-06.00 (3.20), while Brinkman finished in sixth.
“The vaulters competed well for their first competition of the 2015 indoor season and I am looking forward to how the season wraps up,” Silvers said. “Since returning home from the Summit there have been some major breakthroughs in practice. It's great to see things coming together.”
UND's pole vaulters also earned some recognition in VAULTER Magazine. The group was featured on the cover of this month's issue of the college edition.
The vaulters and the rest of the track and field team return to action this weekend at the South Dakota State Classic, Feb. 13-14, in Brookings, S.D.
