Emma Tennell '22 Recruiting Profile

I started pole vaulting at the start of track season of my freshman year. I had always run sprint relays in track, but at the time basketball was my main sport. I had a senior friend who played basketball as well, and she had pole vaulted since middle school. On the first day of track practice she simply told me that I was going to vault with her. I thought it looked fun and agreed that I would give it a try. From the start I loved it, and I progressed quickly, qualifying for state that year (2019), and clearing my goal of opening height at the state meet (8 feet).

Despite missing my entire sophomore year (2020) due to COVID, I moved my PR from 8 feet to 9 feet during the two month long track season my junior year (2021). I did not stop vaulting after the state meet, and have now cleared a 10 foot bungee many times in practice over the 2021 summer. Now, at the close of a senior season that began with a rough start, I have a final PR of 9’6. I placed first at the 2022 regional meet, and I placed fourth at state.