Aiden Hurlburt '23 Recruiting Profile

My collegiate goal is to grow to my full potential in the sport of pole vaulting, as I pursue a business degree in marketing or finance.  I believe that I will have greater success in the classroom (and later, as I begin my career) if I continue to work out and become the best athlete I am capable of becoming. 

Pole vaulting is a sport that I love, and I am working very hard to continuously improve.  Over the 2021 high school spring season, which is the first year that I competed outdoors for my high school, I set a season goal for myself at the first practice.  I wanted to hit a PR of 13'6". Prior to that, at a scholastic winter indoor meet before COVID in my freshman year, I had cleared 9' 6", my first "official" high school height.  I committed myself to working out, in addition to attending my high school practices, so that I could get stronger and maneuver my body with more control.  During Pennsylvania's District 11 Track and Field Championships on May 29, 2021 I achieved my goal of 13'6" and won the meet.  This reinforced my belief in goal-setting and prioritizing my level of fitness, and convinced me that anything is possible with the right attitude and work ethic. So far this season I have increased my PR to 15'0", which was my goal for this season, and now I am working to clear 16' 0".

One thing that is especially inspiring about the sport of pole vaulting is the excitement I experience when I see another vaulter achieve a PR.  I have learned that I perform better as I see my competitors reach new heights.   Each meet is a chance to stretch myself, to see what is possible through what other athletes accomplish, and to challenge myself in a different way.