Keon Howe

Destination: TOKYO

When did you realize that you wanted to take a shot at making an Olympic team?

When I was in high school, I used to tell people that I aspired to be like this collegiate guy from Ole Miss named Sam Kendricks. I followed his journey to the 2016 Olympics. As I became a Division I vaulter myself, a goal for the Olympics started settling in my head.

Who has been the most influential person in your athletic development and why?

It is really hard to answer this question because I owe my athletic development to a medley of coaches who have all made significant impacts on specific aspects of my growth. Brett Houghton introduced me to the sport; Bill Halverson gave me guidance and direction early in my career; Coach Bob Oleson supported me; my parents helped with important decision making, and so many others influenced the footsteps on my path. It’s hard for me to put one person over the other because all of them shaped me into the vaulter I am today.

What changed in your training to take you from an average pole vaulter to an Olympic hopeful?

Goal setting skills and order were two things that changed as I became more advanced. I started setting measurable goals with due dates that would allow me to accurately track my progress within the sport. I went from coming to practice and just winging it, to knowing what to expect from training before showing up.

How did the postponement of the 2020 Olympics affect you or help you?

It gave me more time to put together a better debut. I aspire to be a consistent elite level vaulter who can continue to execute Olympic level performances leading up to and following the Olympic games. I remain with the same goal of improving, but the extra year will just help me showcase it better.

How have you handled adversity or setback in your athletic career and what was the process like?

I always look at setbacks like failsafe training. It excites me to think about how much stronger I can become after overcoming the adversity. I try to take as much information from it as possible so that I can either prevent it or know how to handle the problem in the future.

What is your training routine in preparation for the Olympic Trials?

I am figuring out how my body reacts in different situations so that I can deliver a consistent high-level performance when it matters. I’m learning what kind of diet, weather, and physical conditions affect my jumps and formulate as close as I can to a “perfect meet” so I am ready for whatever comes.

How do you prepare emotionally to train and compete?

I pray and reflect. I give myself closure for any of my successes or shortcomings beforehand so that no mental wounds or negative emotions get in the way of my goals.

With limited meets taking place as a result of Covid-19, how are you approaching the year?

‘Uncertainty’ has been a theme for the year so I am just grateful for anything I am able to do during these crazy times.

If you knew then what you know now, what would you have changed about your athletic career?

I would have started pole vaulting so much earlier! I still can’t believe I went through the

majority of my life without knowing a sport like this even existed!

What have you sacrificed to chase the Olympic dream?

I wouldn’t call them sacrifices because chasing the Olympic dream is so fun for me. I would gladly “sacrifice” a lot of things to pursue this. I do put a lot of time into it so I have had to turn down opportunities to hang out with friends or sleep, but I wouldn’t call them “sacrifices” because I don’t miss that time when I am training.

What do you do to support yourself financially?

I am a part-time drummer and drumline instructor, but due to the pandemic, I am currently trying to figuring this out myself as I transition out of college.

How do you think becoming an Olympian would change your life?

It wouldn’t really change much because there is always a next thing to strive for, but it would be nice to accomplish that goal.

What are your interests and professional goals outside of pole vaulting?

I’d like to get a skydiving license that would allow me to use a squirl suit or perform as a stuntman in movies at some point in my life.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I have a super power that only activates under specific conditions that I can’t disclose. Shhhh!

Photos provided by Keon Howe