AKRON, OH – The High Point University men's and women's pole vault teams traveled to Akron, Ohio for the East Coast Pole Vault Convention hosted at the University of Akron. Five vaulters competed, three representing the women's team and two representing from the men's team.
On the men's side,
Jackson Tuomey and
Ricardo Montes de Oca both reached new heights as each of them cleared 4.23 meters to break the indoor program record. After clearing the 5.23m bar, Montes de Oca, a freshman from Venezuela continued the climb, clearing 5.33m to earn a spot on his own line in the record book. The 5.33m is now the High Point, Big South and Venezuelan national indoor record.
"Overall, it was a fantastic start for the men having two athletes break the school record in the same meet is something special," Pole Vault Head Coach
Scott Houston stated. "Jackson has had a great recovery and return from surgery picking up right where he left off last year."
We are very excited to have Ricardo able to join us this semester. A very nice season opener for him with many more opportunities and room to grow."
As for the women,
Sydney Horn,
Emily Romano and
Rachel Vesper all competed at the East Coast Pole Vault convention. Horn kicked things off on Friday with a 4.30m mark. On Saturday, Romano cleared a season best 3.83m in her second meet of the indoor season and Vesper cleared 3.68m.
"Sydney led the women with her first bar over 14' for 2025," Houston added. "We are looking forward to gaining some consistency for everyone this month moving to full approaches."
UP NEXT:
The High Point men's and women's track and field teams will split and compete at the Dick Taylor Challenge in Chapel Hill, N.C. and the Virginia Tech Invite in Blacksburg, Virginia next weekend beginning on January 17.
#GoHPU x #DefendTheTeam
