Luke Beattie!

They say that life is a circle, and twelve-year old Luke Beattie is proving it true. He is the third member of the Beattie family to train with Coach St. at the Hudson Valley Flying Circus; his father was the first, and 15-year-old sister Lily is second. Luke recently jumped the New York state 7th grade vault record of 10’2.5’ feet, a thrilling accomplishment to match Lily’s 12’ vault as a freshman, and father Rich’s state championship win from 1986.

“Luke Beattie came to pole vault at the Flying Circus as a 6th grader and has made tremendous improvements in one year,” said Coach St. “A multi-sport athlete, Luke also excels in football, sprints, and hurdles for Coach Mike Potter Jr.’s Purple Wave Track tradition at Warwick Valley Middle School. His outstanding speed produces a super plant and drive phase already. He has a bright future in multi-events. Luke has a strong competitive spirit and everyone is thrilled he started up with the vault.”

Luke lives a mile from the storied pole vault club, set in a chicken barn on a bucolic property in west New York. He has been hanging out there for as long as he can remember. Currently Luke is working on all parts of his jump, especially the rock back. Olympic weightlifting is a new endeavor, and Luke practices at a local Cross Fit gym on days he is not at The Barn. He just learned how to snatch and to clean and jerk.

An avid Alabama fan who shares his love for the Crimson Tide with Rich and Coach St., Luke also likes to ride his bike and quad with friends, and hang out with his grandparents and dog Lola. His long-term goals are to hurdle, pole vault, and sprint.

Luke has his eyes set on a national championship and wants to do it all!

Luke Beattie with Coach Tim St. Lawrence

Photo provided by Coach St.