Cole Anderson ’22 attended the Main National Pole Vault Summit, which was organized by UCS Spirit that took place on Jan. 18 to 19 at Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

The event featured the best vaulters in the United States, who were encouraged to raise their personal best, and learn how to do this by attending sessions from top coaches.

Anderson was grateful for the opportunity that was given to him. He said, “My experience at the 2020 National Pole Vault Summit was like no other. I was surrounded by so many people who shared the same passion as me. I got to learn from other coaches, do things out of my comfort zone, and vault, which is what I love most.”

Anderson said that his main influence was a 2019 graduate who encouraged him to do pole vaulting. He continued, “I started pole vaulting because Patrick O’Brien said I should try it. I had no idea what pole vaulting was, but I do not know what I would be doing without it. Within an hour of the first practice I fell in love with it and I would never go back.”

He added, “Being the only Riordan student at the convention made me feel lonely because nobody else was there, but after only being there for a couple hours I met so many people part of the pole vaulting family that made me feel at home.”