2 minute read
Zane Gibson
Flicky Stick Pole Vault
When an athlete says that falling on the mat after clearing the bar is his favorite part of the event, you know he is someone who loves the thrill of pole vault!
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Off the runway, Zane Gibson is easy going and appreciates the simple productivity of rest. On the runway, he is strong and aggressive. He has cleared 15’ in every meet this season except one when weather conditions challenged every competitor. His current personal best is 15’6’.
“Zane has the physical qualities to be a great vaulter: speed, strength, aggression, power, and height,” says Coach Hunter Arnold. “But it is his character traits that show his true potential in the sport. Zane’s mental toughness, respect, coachability, integrity, work ethic, and willingness to change are what propelled him to excellence this year more than any of his previous years.”
The Etowah High School junior, who also plays basketball, came to pole vaulting after watching his brother vault. His father, an avid disc golfer, has influenced him to be the best athlete he can be. Zane is inspired by Mondo Duplantis, Piotr Lisek, and the Guttormsen brothers, Sondre and Simen.
His favorite pole vault memory was besting two seniors in a mock meet as a freshman. Challenged by shin splints, Zane is currently working on jumping through the takeoff instead of jumping at it. The current school record holder, Zane Gibson has more to give pole vault and those in it.
Coach Arnold adds, “Zane is a great teammate to the other vaulters at Flicky Stick and a positive role model to younger vaulters who are learning to love the sport.”
Photo provided by Rene Gibson.
