(Highlandville, Mo) To say pole vaulting is a main stream sport would be quite the bend.
Joe Nickell, "Some people ask me what it is and I have to explain it to them."
What it is... Is big enough to have it's own central headquarters... nestled not so quietly in Highlandville, Missouri.
Sean Nickell, "We didn't have any place to jump in the winter until we found this place. It was a mess and it took us about two months to clean it all up."
Partly owned by Sean's family... Inside the home is a 30,000 dollar mat... And an amount of poles that would vault anyone into shock. So don't even get Sean started on the price of it all.
So, was it worth it?
"Oh yeah, it was worth it," said Sean.
The sentimental value goes in large part to two vaulters, Joseph and Elaina.
Joe, "My brother got me into it. Then I tried it and it was really fun, so that's what I did from then on out."
Elaina Roeder, "I had some teammates in gym and they went to pole vaulting and they were really good at it so I figured I would give it a try."
Both former gymnasts who have absolutely fallen heels over head in love with this field of track
"I use to play soccer and wrestle until I quit both of those to focus on pole vaulting," said Joe.
Elaina said, "there is no other feeling like clearing a bar."
I Joe and Elaina look young it's because they are only thirteen years old. And if you think that is too young for any national recognition... think again.
Sean said, "The fact that they hold national records for the same age group each is outstanding. They both won their age divisions by almost feet."
Joe and Elaine are now national record holders for their age division. Setting the bar is Joe at 11'8" and Elaina... 9'8"
"I didn't know until after I jumped the bar, so when I found out I was really happy, "said Elaina.
Sean said, "I could not be more proud. I guess that's why I love coaching so much because watching my kids do so well is one of the most gratifying feeling in the world."
The two will now be competing in the AAU Junior Olympics in Texas. Step one towards the futures of their dreams.
Joe and Elainia say they both want to be in the Olympics someday.
Joe Nickell, "Some people ask me what it is and I have to explain it to them."
What it is... Is big enough to have it's own central headquarters... nestled not so quietly in Highlandville, Missouri.
Sean Nickell, "We didn't have any place to jump in the winter until we found this place. It was a mess and it took us about two months to clean it all up."
Partly owned by Sean's family... Inside the home is a 30,000 dollar mat... And an amount of poles that would vault anyone into shock. So don't even get Sean started on the price of it all.
So, was it worth it?
"Oh yeah, it was worth it," said Sean.
The sentimental value goes in large part to two vaulters, Joseph and Elaina.
Joe, "My brother got me into it. Then I tried it and it was really fun, so that's what I did from then on out."
Elaina Roeder, "I had some teammates in gym and they went to pole vaulting and they were really good at it so I figured I would give it a try."
Both former gymnasts who have absolutely fallen heels over head in love with this field of track
"I use to play soccer and wrestle until I quit both of those to focus on pole vaulting," said Joe.
Elaina said, "there is no other feeling like clearing a bar."
I Joe and Elaina look young it's because they are only thirteen years old. And if you think that is too young for any national recognition... think again.
Sean said, "The fact that they hold national records for the same age group each is outstanding. They both won their age divisions by almost feet."
Joe and Elaine are now national record holders for their age division. Setting the bar is Joe at 11'8" and Elaina... 9'8"
"I didn't know until after I jumped the bar, so when I found out I was really happy, "said Elaina.
Sean said, "I could not be more proud. I guess that's why I love coaching so much because watching my kids do so well is one of the most gratifying feeling in the world."
The two will now be competing in the AAU Junior Olympics in Texas. Step one towards the futures of their dreams.
Joe and Elainia say they both want to be in the Olympics someday.
