Paige Sparks '21 Recruiting Profile

I am Paige Sparks, a female pole-vaulter of the 2021 graduating class. I started pole vaulting at the end of my sophomore year, my cross-country coach from Clear Lake high school suggested pole vault, because of my gymnastics background. When he asked if I wanted to try the sport, he told me, I needed a little bit of crazy in me, to willingly run full speed with a pole in my hands.

I was a competitive gymnast for eight years of my life. I sadly had to retire from my life as a gymnast my freshman year, because throughout my first two years of high school, I was constantly in and out of hospitals. My numerous hospital visits were due to having West Nile virus, that were followed by a trail of chronic migraines.  In the end I am grateful, that experience has only driven me to be more dedicated towards what I hope to accomplish. Those two years in the hospital has only pushed me more in the direction of pursuing a medical career. During my junior year I participated in medical focused classes and was in a few medically driven clubs including HOSA.

I am ebullient about carrying my athletic career in the collegiate world. I’m enjoying carrying out my senior year in high school, and break new PR’s, pushing myself to become the best of my ability. I am looking forward to my final outdoor high school track season to began, since last years was halted due to the pandemic. Pole vault has become one of the few things I allow myself to fall into as an outlet for my ADHD driven energy. It has allowed me to become focused and feeds my competitive nature.