Patrick O'Brien '26 Recruiting Profile

I began pole vaulting during my freshman year of high school, 2022-2023. I quickly realized how much I enjoy the sport and I started lessons at VaultWorx in January 2023 in addition to daily practice at school. By taking weekly lessons and attending Summer camps, my skills have greatly improved and I have made it my goal to continue pole vaulting in college at a Division I or Division III level.

Throughout my two seasons of high school track and field, I have been able to share the knowledge learned at VaultWorx with my teammates to help them advance. This has resulted in the entire pole vaulting team showing marked improvement and increased camaraderie. Even though my teammates and I are competing against each other, we all are pushing each other to perform our best.

In the classroom, I have maintained a high GPA while taking advanced courses in all subjects. I have completed two AP courses during my sophomore year and will be taking three AP courses during my junior year. I also enjoy music and have been a member of the school choir and orchestra ensembles since elementary school. Additionally, I have been a member of the York County Honors Choir and York Junior Symphony Orchestra as well as the national-level OAKE choir since fifth grade.

In my community, I have been active as a Boy Scout since first grade through which I have volunteered in numerous community projects including food drives, rail trail clean-up, and maintenance of the local veterans’ cemetery. I am currently working on my Eagle Scout project which should be completed by the end of 2024. I volunteer at my church, St. John Lutheran, by helping with the food bank, performing as a musician, and serving as sacristan.

I would like to attend a college which allows me to compete in track and field and to pursue my educational goal of a profession in the medical or STEM field. I know that my rigorous high school courses will prepare me for the challenge of balancing college courses and athletics.