Abigail Drayer '20 Recruiting Profile

My journey to pole vault was unexpected because I have been a gymnast for as long as I can remember. I’ve only tried a couple other sports, but I was always drawn back to gymnastics since I absolutely love it. However, that all changed freshman year when I went out for the varsity track team and discovered pole vaulting. When I first saw it the only thing going through my head was, “I want to do that.” I never felt that way about anything previously, except for gymnastics, and I knew I had to try it. But, the thing that really inspired me was the idea of flying through the air as high as possible.  Also, an upperclassman inspired me because she placed at states and was able to go to college for pole vaulting. Plus, I found pole vault very unique in so many ways and maybe that’s why I decided I wanted to continue pole vaulting and do it in college. There was a click when I started pole vault and right then I knew I couldn’t stop. Pole vault was one of the things that felt right and I knew I was made to do it.

Furthermore, in addition to my gymnastics and pole vault year long  training and high school varsity team participation, I also am a member of student council, and volunteer for Special Olympics.  With student council, I help out with the school dances, blood drives and other opportunities around the school. With the Special Olympics I assist with a variety of activities for example, golf, bowling, track, and even instruct a little of my gymnastics. In addition, I make sure to keep my GPA as high as I possibly can, by keeping up with all my homework, study for all my tests and strive to be the best student within my classrooms. That goes the same with my sports, I practice 110% every practice -- I always give it my all and make sure I never forget the conditioning and the stretching components of the sport. I always ask myself, “Why be average when I can be extraordinary?”