The standard of excellence at Virginia Tech regarding its track and field program is already pretty high.
Routinely, the group sends student-athletes in droves to nationals every season and this year is no different (11).
But, over a quarter of the Hokies heading to Austin, Texas for the NCAA Outdoor Championships are coming from one event alone – women's pole vault.
Dubbed 'Pole Vault U' in some circles, Tech's pole vault group has shined time and time again under the tutelage of longtime assistant Bob Phillips. An alum, Phillips is in his 37th year as Tech's pole vault coach and was extremely pleased with his group's performance on the women's side at the NCAA East Preliminary Round, which was the meet that sets up student-athletes qualifying for nationals.
"I was very proud of how the women competed," Phillips said. "There was a crosswind [in Jacksonville], which made it a little more difficult to control the pole during the run and plant, but the women stayed focused and kept executing good, sound jumps."
That execution led to some history, as Tech became the first team in nine years to send four female vaulters to outdoor nationals (Arkansas, 2014).
That quartet featured the 2023 ACC Indoor Freshman of the Year (Kenna Stimmel), the 2023 ACC Outdoor pole vault champion (Julia Fixsen) and two transfers who have scored at ACCs (Hayley Horvath, Journey Gurley). The impressive group has developed a bond of making each other better and that special night in Jacksonville exemplified all of the hard work the group has collectively put in.
"Track is not just an individual sport," Fixsen said. "It's one thing to qualify for the Outdoor NCAA Track & Field Championships, it's another to have three other teammates by your side. The fact that my teammates and I are going to compete with the top girls in the country together is truly special and rare.
"There's a sense of peace and comfort when you have teammates there with you in the thick of it – to cheer you on and motivate you to push through the possible fear or discomfort of being on a big stage. The camaraderie of this pole vault group is unmatched. I am so thrilled to share this experience with all of them. It's going to be one to remember."
Writing HERstory Campaign
Coinciding with Women's History Month in March and the 50th anniversary of Title IX, Virginia Tech Athletics launched a multi-platform brand campaign celebrating the incredible achievements of its female student-athletes, both past and present, while inspiring the next generation of women who aspire to achieve their dreams through athletics. In partnership with Truist, Tech will share stories of its past and current female student-athletes over the course of the calendar year. Ranging from podcast interviews to feature stories and more, the incredible moments and achievements by women over the years in Virginia Tech Athletics will be celebrated. To make a direct impact on the program or to sign up for the monthly Writing HERstory newsletter.
