Poseidon Vault Club: Avery Mangels

Poseidon Vault Club Virginia Beach, VA

Avery Mangels understood that her existing athletic skills would not translate easily to pole vault. The former diver, distance runner, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer player tried out for pole vault anyway. After two meets, she quit everything else to focus on the vault and high jump.

Avery possesses the quality every coach wants: coachability. Avery never quits or complains. When it was to time to learn to hurdle and do proper Olympic lifts, Avery did so earnestly. Most importantly, when Avery struggles, she still encourages other vaulters.

Avery has the academics for the next level. A member of the Math, Science, and National Honor Societies at First Colonial High School, Avery is also on the Gifted Advisory Board.

Her coach, Tyrone Guzman, has been the most influential person in her track career. Despite whatever opinions Avery has of herself, Coach Ty encourages her to see her potential and achieve new milestones. She studies Sandi Morris’ vaults to figure out what parts of her own jump need tweaking.

Avery’s best pole vault memory is when she qualified for regionals. She had been coming up short all season and finally cleared the bar. That feeling of triumph is why she chases the next height. The other thing Avery appreciates about pole vault is the community. Everyone is in pursuit of their personal excellence and is willing to extend a helping hand to anyone who might need it.

With a current PR of 9’9”, and some top placements at regionals and states, Avery is working on driving her knee at takeoff and being patient during the transition between swing up and inversion.

We wish Avery success this season, and in her next chapter post high school!

Photo provided by Poseidon Vault Club