Ellie Fisher is a senior at Shadow Ridge High School. Since her freshman year, Fisher has been a part of the Shadow Ridge Pole Vaulting Team, playing a huge role in the teams’ scoring over the years.

Fisher is now making an attempt to beat the record of 9 feet and 6 inches, set by the teams’ coach, Amber Smith. The record was set 10 years ago, and has still yet to be broken.

Fisher says, “I want to break the record because it’s a pretty cool title to hold.” 

If Fisher is able to break the record, she will be the first student to achieve a double digit score in pole vaulting in all of Shadow Ridge’s history. This would be an amazing achievement for her.

“I’ve been working on this sport for so long that breaking a record like that is going to mean so much to me,” she adds, “It’s just like getting a trophy. Breaking the pole vault record is my trophy.”

Fisher isn’t the only one eager to see if she can break the record, however. 

Coach Smith says, “I’m so excited for her to break this record. I’ve been waiting 10 years for one of my athletes to break it and I really think Ellie is going to be the one who does it.”

Coach Smith and many others are all holding high hopes for Fisher to break the record.

“I didn’t have a coach when I set that record, so it was kind of a bittersweet moment. Of course I was excited about setting it, but I didn’t necessarily have anyone to share that excitement with,” said Coach Smith. 

Breaking the record would mean great things for Fisher. 

According to Coach Smith, “Being good at pole vault takes a lot of things. It takes speed, strength, technique, body control, and being willing to make corrections and being intentional about making changes.”

Breaking the record is not going to be easy, especially considering the height of which Fisher has to not just reach, but pass.

“A lot of athletes have some of these things, but not many have all of them,” Smith said. “Having one of my athletes break my record will be like the culminating moment in my coaching career,” emphasized Coach Smith.

While pole vaulting is such a difficult sport, Fisher still finds that the environment and community is welcoming to its athletes. 

Fisher comments, “ Not only is it a really fun sport but the friends I have made from pole vault are amazing.”

Gallery • 6 Photos

Ellie Fisher