Pole Vault Team Sets New Records

By Rhys Sanders, Reporter

April 20, 2026

Senior Patrick O’Brien prepares to pole Vault the school record of 14 feet 7 inches. Photograph Courtesy of @patrickobrienpolevault

The pole bent, the world tilted and he launched himself up into the air as far as gravity agreed to let him go.

The pole vaulting team, led by head track and field coach Cody McCredie, began meeting over a month ago, and they are already setting records.

Senior Patrick O’Brien announces his enrollment into Lehigh University to continue his academic and athletic career. Photograph Courtesy of @ @patrickobrienpolevault via Instagram

Senior pole-vaulter Patrick O’Brien recently broke his own school record that he set last school year of 14 feet 6 inches to 14 feet 7 inches. This may not sound like a large improvement, but to the team, it is.

“I wasn’t actually planning to break it,” O’Brien said. “I was doing a normal meet, and I was like why not go for one inch PR. There wasn’t really any motivation behind it. It was a good meet, and I just wanted to go for it.”

O’Brien has been on the pole vaulting team for four years. Pole vaulting coach Rich Dolson recognizes that O’Brien displays the role of a leader on the team.

“Patrick is a leader on all fronts,” Dolson said. “Both in other events as well as pole vaulting, and that pushes everybody to do more. His terminal experience in pole vaulting helps with all the vaulters, especially the new ones.”

Pole vaulters require specific skills.

“You have to be willing to let it all go because it can be scary,” Dolson said. “Speed, strength and gymnastics skills are all a big help when it comes to pole vaulting.”

Sophomore Jacob Rhoads joined the pole vaulting team this season.

“My season has been super enjoyable,” Rhoads said. “I joined because I wanted to learn new stuff, and that is certainly what I am doing.”

In order for members to participate, they need to pass an opening height; boys must pass 8 feet, while girls must pass 6 feet. Once they pass this height, they are able to begin setting records.

When O’Brien broke his first record, he wanted to continue pushing himself to see

Patrick prepares to break his own record at 15 feet at the Pan Ram Invitational on April 12, 2026. Photograph Courtesy of Patrick O’Brien

how far he could set his personal record. When he broke his record for the first time, he labelled it as his most fun moment.

“When I broke the record the first time, everyone was just cheering me on and were super encouraging,” O’Brien said.

The team attends invitationals around Pennsylvania and recently traveled to the Herb Schmidt Relays on March 27, where O’Brien won with a pole vault of 14 feet. O’Brien also went for a new PR 14 feet 9 inches; however, he was unsuccessful in his attempt.

On April 12, 2026, the pole vaulting team traveled to the Pan Ram Invitational, where O’Brien set a new school record at 15 feet.

The pole vaulting team travels to the Ray Geesey Invitational at Dallastown High School on May 4, 2026.