Maddy Kelley

Philly Jumps Club, Philadelphia, PA

Coach: Brian Mondschein

At the end of her 8th grade year, Maddy Kelley ventured into pole vaulting at Philly Jumps Club. Shy by nature, the former gymnast enjoyed early success, but she hesitated to move to bigger poles, and in competition, her nerves would flare. In time though, Maddy’s love for the sport developed and along the way, she befriended Erin Kelleher, a club leader, who taught her how to compete and mentored her to mental toughness.

That resolve was tested this past season.

At a summer meet, Maddy cleared a new personal best of 12’, quite an accomplishment for a high school freshman. But Maddy’s coach, Brian Mondschein, noticed that the bar was improperly set. The 12’7” pole Maddy jumped with should not have hit a bar placed at 12’. With the meet officials already preparing for the next athlete, it would have been easy to let the error go unnoticed, but Coach Mondschein could not overlook it. He informed Maddy that the height she actually cleared was 11’6. Maddie did not flinch. She immediately regrouped and attempted 12’ again, missing all three tries.

How we react to setbacks determines our greatness. That day, Maddy Kelley’s response was guided by inner strength instead of by avarice. She believes enough in herself to know that an incorrectly recorded mark would not truly be a personal best if it was earned by oversight. Pole vault requires more than speed and strength. Fortitude, which is courage through adversity, is often tested and at 15 years old, Maddy has already proven what she is made of.

Maddy finished her season with a personal record of 11’7” and was the only freshman at the Pennsylvania state meet, where she finished 9th, tying her PR!

Photo credit: Philly Jumps Club