Sophie Bergkvist '24 Recruiting Profile

I currently train pole vault four days a week, year round with Willamette Striders Track Club.  I joined the club about two years ago as a Level 9 gymnast, turned pole vault novice.  It's been a humbling experience, but positive in countless ways. The hard work I invested, guided by my excellent coaches, led me to a conference championship and a personal record of 10 feet during my first high school season (spring 2022).  I ended the season on a "high" note, placing 3rd at the Oregon State High School Championships and the USATF Oregon State Championships.  This spring, with a PR of 10 feet 7 inches, I earned another district championship and the school record!

My pole vault journey began when a fluke gymnastics injury leading into the pandemic gave me the time and space to find something that had been lost over nine years of intensive gymnastics--JOY! I am a serious, driven athlete, so time off was not for me.  I tried out pole vault and was immediately hooked. The combination of technical and physical challenge was right up my alley, and the supportive, low-stress (yet very serious) training environment was just the contrast I needed from the gymnastics world. To be sure that flinging myself through the air would spark a new passion, I joined a diving team and trained both pole vault and diving for one year. This past August, I decided to make pole vault my sole focus, and doubled my training hours. I feel that sport supports my body and mind to be successful in the classroom. Plus, pole vault is so much fun!  I would love to continue vaulting in college.

In addition to my passion for sport, I am also a serious student with my heart set on becoming an engineer.  My academic path has been and continues to be rigorous, with 12 AP classes and 4 math and science college classes to date.  And I'm just a junior!  I have a 4.0 GPA that I am committed to maintaining through to the end.  And on top of pole vaulting four days a week, I also hold down a gymnastics coaching job, study trumpet and Swedish, and volunteer in my community.  When I need to unwind, I enjoy baking bread and pastries.  I'd be happy to make some for my track and field collegiate teammates some day!