KJ Byrd

Vaulthouse, High Point, NC

Head Coach: Eric Morrell

Kenneth Byrd, “KJ”, is an outstanding athlete on the rise at Vaulthouse in High Point, North Carolina. Having made much progress early on, it’s hard to believe this newcomer picked up pole vaulting only twelve months before the start of his freshman year at East Burke High School. KJ found Rocketman Pole Vault as a competitive outlet after his regular track season was cancelled due to Covid-19. He started with coach Rick Richards and in his first year vaulting, KJ set the bar high as the NCHSAA 2A pole vault state champion, with a personal best mark of 15’, higher than any freshman in North Carolina has ever cleared!

KJ is talented not only in pole vault, but in several events in track and field. A strong sprinter and jumper, KJ holds impressive marks in the high jump of 6’4”, triple jump of 41’, long jump of 19’ 3.5” and 110H of 16.10. Off the track, KJ is a running back and safety for his varsity football team.

Driven by his love of chasing new heights, KJ trains at Vaulthouse regularly each week to work with his calm and collected coach, Eric Morell. KJ likes training with Coach Morell as he explains things in multiple ways because he knows each athlete has a different method of hearing things. Coach Morrell gets a lot of energy when something good happens and KJ feels he is one of the best coaches he has ever had.

Number eight of nine siblings, KJ comes from a family of athletes and musicians. His grandfather pole vaulted on bamboo sticks in high school and his father was a competitive basketball player at Wake Forest. With a very supportive dad who is also a great coach, KJ says his father has helped him build a good work ethic.

Aspiring to clear 16’ this year, KJ is an athlete to look out for.

Coach Eric Morrell and Kj Byrd

Photo credit: Vaulthouse