Elevating Above Their Own Limits
Pole vaulters embrace the pressure and push boundaries.
Liv Sewell
Pressure seems counterintuitive for those about to fly.
For Colorado State’s pole vaulters, the pressure is an old friend.
Competing during the last day of the Mountain West Indoor Championship demands their finest performances—moments where they must launch themselves over bars set incredibly high, defying both gravity and expectations. For these athletes, it’s not just about clearing heights; it’s about rewriting history.
This year, junior Maria Kimpson has done exactly that. Her name now sits at the top of the record wall, a shrine to CSU’s greatest, after her performance at the Colorado Invitational. Her vault of 13-feet-9.25 inches eclipsed the previous record of 13-6.5, held by recently graduated Celyn Sterner.
The 2.75-inch difference may seem minuscule to an outsider, but in the world of pole vaulting, where precision is everything, it represents a monumental leap. However, the journey to this moment wasn’t hers alone. The support from her predecessor, Sterner, has been unwavering—a legacy not of rivalry, but of mentorship and encouragement.
“Celyn, she’s the old record holder, and she’s so amazing,” Kimpson said. “Obviously, she wanted me to break it, so it was really cool. She was there, and she’s so supportive and sweet.”
Along with her CSU all-time record Kimpson is now No.1 in the Mountain West with almost eight full inches more than No.2 Abbie Scott, a freshman from Utah State.
Kimpson’s name may now be etched in the record books, but she is far from alone in her pursuit of greatness. Graduate student Eldridge Harris and junior Sam Mrky have been carving out their own places in history.
Ranking No.2 and No.6 in the Mountain West respectively, CSU’s record book becomes more alluring with its longevity.
Mrky recently surpassed Harris, moving into third place in CSU’s all-time rankings, thanks to a towering vault of 17-1 during their meet in Colorado Springs. He became the fourth Ram to ever surpass the 17-foot mark, a feat which speaks volumes about both his ability and his ambition.
But for Mrky, that number is just a checkpoint. His eyes are locked on something bigger—the all-time school record of 17-3 .
“I’m super stoked about it, of course,” Mrky said. “I want to shoot for the school record — that’s my predominant goal. It would be huge for me. It’s been my goal ever since I got here to break that for indoor and outdoor.”
Pole vaulting isn’t simply about athletic prowess; it’s an art form which requires a rare combination of strength, speed, and sheer mental resilience. It’s also about trust — trust in one’s training, trust in the pole that bends precariously under immense force, and trust in the process itself.
And then there’s the stage — perhaps the most daunting aspect of all. Conference is more than a meet; it’s a spectacle. With sprinters and throwers gathered around, watching intently, pole vaulters have the challenge of performing under the most intense scrutiny due to competing on the last day of competition.
Last year, the pressure reached its boiling point when Harris – the school-record holder outdoors (17-0.25) -- found himself standing on the runway with two missed attempts already behind him. The entire team was watching. The outcome of the meet hung in the balance. His third attempt had to be flawless.
And it was.
It’s really cool to finally have a pole vault group that’s pushing each other every day and getting better.Eldridge Harris
The vault solidified both the men’s and women’s indoor conference titles — a feat the program hadn’t achieved since the 2018-19 season. In that moment, Harris wasn’t just an athlete clearing a bar; he was a catalyst, the embodiment of what it means to rise to the occasion.
Now, as one of the foremost upperclassmen, Harris has taken on a different role. He has become a mentor, guiding the younger athletes through the emotional turbulence that inevitably accompanies high-stakes competition.
“We have a lot of underclassmen right now,” Harris said. “It honestly feels like I’m the one who knows the experience of all things in college athletics and going to travel meets — the whole experience in general. I feel like a good knowledge source for them. If they’re ever feeling stressed or overwhelmed with the situation, I’m there.”
Experience alone, however, does not make a champion. Neither does pure talent. Pole vaulting demands something more — an ability to embrace the pressure of all the compounding moments rather than shy away from it.
Mrky thrives on it. He lives for the moments when everything is on the line, when one successful vault can be the difference between a title and an empty-handed finish.
“Make a good bar, do something good for the team,” Mrky said. “There’s no better feeling, especially having one of the last events, those points really matter. It’s crucial.”
That sense of responsibility isn’t lost on Kimpson, either. She understands her success isn’t just about individual accolades — it’s about the program as a whole.
Conference meets aren’t about PR’s or shining individually, they serve as a high point where all teammates stand on the podium together.
“I just like to do what I’ve been doing to earn points for the team,” Kimpson said. “It’s not a time to show off or go crazy. Just be consistent and the earn the points I’m supposed to earn.”
For years, CSU has been known as a throwing school, dominating in events like shot put and discus. But pole vaulting was never their claim to fame. Not until their impact on the team helped secure the championship last season. Only two CSU men have won the event title at conference, and Kimpson became the first woman when she won last year. In the era of the Mountain West, the women have placed in the event 21 times overall, the men 24.
“I feel like something that CSU has kind of been missing for a while is a deep pole vault spot,” said Harris, the 2023 champ. “Especially with other events being so deep, like the throws. It’s really cool to finally have a pole vault group that’s pushing each other every day and getting better.
“I would say CSU is kind of an outlier. A lot of schools really focus on one group. Really trying to hammer the sprints or distance groups. But I feel like CSU, as a whole, has been a team trying to be as well rounded in every event instead of just focusing on one event.”
A camaraderie which is more than a byproduct of training together. It’s what fuels them, what allows them to reach new heights — both literally and figuratively.
The heights for Mrky couldn’t be higher as a two-event athlete.
But competing in both 60 meter dash and pole vault isn’t as contradictory as jumps and sprints seem.
“It helps in the back of the runway,” Mrky said. “I definitely wouldn’t be the runner I am today without sprint training.”
For Kimpson, her mental training and attitude toward the sport is just as important as the physical. The bar doesn’t move, but her mind does. Doubt, hesitation, even the slightest misstep in her thought process can mean the difference between soaring and falling short.
“It’s just a habit,” Kimpson said. “And obviously, at the bigger meets, it gets harder because there’s more pressure. But I feel like I just try to stay level-headed and do what I know I can do. I trust my training, and it usually works out.”
Trust.
It’s the foundation of everything they do. Trust in themselves. Trust in each other. Trust in the journey — one which has already rewritten records but is far from over.
As the season unfolds, the CSU pole vaulters will continue to defy gravity, expectations, and their own perceived limits. Because for them, flying isn’t just a moment — it’s a mindset.
And they’re only getting started.
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