Zachary Elmore '19 Recruiting Profile

       The earliest recollection I have of the pole vault was driving by the high school with my dad to run errands in town at the age of four. As we drove by, I remember the awe I felt as I observed the big guys flying what seemed like miles above the ground. I said, “ Dad, I want to go do that”. I knew then that I was going to be a pole vaulter one day.

       Coming from a family of exceptional distance running, I was never encouraged to pole vault and the meaningless words of a dreamy-eyed child were dismissed as I began my first year of middle school track, and the role of champion miler was thrust upon me. It was not until I was able to successfully demonstrate my ability to set and achieve challenging goals through hard work and time that my family accepted that I was a pole vaulter. Now I feel that my coach and parents are always there to rejoice my great achievements alongside me, and encourage me in times of failure. I continue to suffer through long weeks without the improvements I seek and I enjoy knowing I have people to depend on, that’ll do anything to help get me back to where I want to be.