Where can I find the men’s recruiting/walk on standards for Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Auburn?
Thanks
Look at what the current team members are scoring, if that’s the right word for pole vault—that’s a good number to aim for.
Probably best to contact the coaches. It’s kind of a niche event and very coaching intensive. Plus so much can change from program to program and year to year. But the coaches will know their needs and/or appetite for taking on a non-scoring walk-on.
I’d fill out the recruiting forms and follow up with an email letting them know you’re interested in learning more about the program. You can ask what sort of marks they’re looking for. I’m guessing over 15-5 is going to start to get some interest at those sorts of programs, and maybe over 14 in HS could lead to walk-on possibility. But those are just educated guesses.
You can check out tfrrs.org for past team and conference results.
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I don’t know if this is common or if I was talking to an outlier, but I know a P5 pole vault coach who said he recruits all over the board. He assumes a good percentage of the kids he talks to have not had adequate coaching. So he looks more at potential.
And the fact that I went to college with this guy constitutes 100% of my pole vault recruiting experience. So take it with a huge grain of salt.
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Thank you. My son just started vaulting last year as a sophomore. He decided not to continue playing baseball. Both my husband and daughter vaulted so that is why he opted to try a niche sport. He competed in 3 meets in spring jumping only 10’. However, he worked hard this summer and is now clearing 13’ bungee ( moving up poles and figuring some things out) so we’ll see what the track season brings.
If he’s a sophomore I’d revise my advice a bit. I’d wait and see how things look in the spring after he gets some marks. There’s no harm in contacting coaches now but there’s no rush either. Track and field is still a late recruiting sport. Some track athletes are making decisions after the state meet in senior year. For boys especially, a lot can change in a year or two.
@dadof4kids is likely correct about some PV coaches casting a wide net. I’d add to that the fact that head coaches are looking for multi-events candidates as well. I’ve seen quite a few decent but not outstanding pole vaulters transitioning to multi-events in college. So for a former baseball player, I’d see if he can take a try at throwing something (probably jav) and getting a solid 100m time at some point. If he has good speed that’s a solid sign of potential for either PV or decathlon. All the better if he wants to work the hurdles in at some point.
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Thanks. He is a junior this year so spring of 2022 will be important.
Sorry, yes, I meant Junior but for some reason typed sophomore. Lots of time left for improvement. Good luck!
Of the two male vaulters on Auburn’s T&F roster now, one was 14’6" in grade 11 and the other was 15’0".
A boy my son competed against the past few seasons was reportedly recruited by Auburn based on a 13’6" during his soph season (spring of 19). He only had one meet during his junior year (due to Covid), and the Auburn coaches may have seen some potential.
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