Gabi Hansen '21 Recruiting Profile

I've been pole vaulting since seventh grade. In my first year, I qualified for the USATF National Junior Olympics and traveled to Sacramento, California to compete. It was an amazing experience for me as a young athlete and it inspired me to continue pursuing my new found passion. The following year, health-related issues prevented me from competing at the Junior Olympics, but gave me time to reflect and realize that pole vaulting was something that I definitely wanted to continue for as long as possible. 

As a little kid, I loved being active and I tried lots of different activities before landing on pole vaulting. Because of this, I have a very diverse background and understanding of sports. I currently compete as a varsity athlete on my high school's swim and dive and track and field teams. I really enjoy being part of a team while also focusing on my personal athetic goals.

As a student athlete, I work hard to push myself in my school work and in my sports. During my freshman year, I was inducted into the National Honor Society. In my sophomore year, I placed third in the state Biotechnology Expo at Shoreline Community College with a presentation on Ebola. I really enjoy studying English and science and have taken extracurricular writing classes at Gotham Writing Academy. Even my hobbies are related to science - I've earned my apprentice beekeeping certificate and have been a successful beekeeper for two years. I'm hoping to pursue further studies in both English and the sciences in college.

Pole vaulting has taught me so much. I've learned how to accept disappointment and how to celebrate even the smallest successes. I've learned patience and that mental toughness is just as important as physical strength. I've made great friends and I've worked with fantastic coaches. All of these experiences are shaping me as an athlete, as a student, and as a person.  It's become such a big part of who I am and I can't wait to take it to the next level.