Virginia Tech All-American and women's pole vault program record holder Rachel Baxter, the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor champion, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing March 11 at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships at the CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala. Baxter is the collegiate leader at 15-1.50 (4.61m) as well as No. 4 in the U.S. and tied for No. 12 in the world, along with equaling the No. 5 all-time NCAA indoor competitor and matching the No. 12 performer in American indoor history. She revisits surpassing the 15-foot barrier for the first time in her career Feb. 25 at the ACC Indoor Championships and what it meant for her to be able to achieve the feat at Rector Field House in Blacksburg, in addition to the Hokies capturing both men's and women's conference titles for the first time together at home. Baxter reveals that she was also able to use the biggest pole in her collection for the first time in a couple of years to clear her personal-best height, and the confidence it provided her in preparation for the NCAA indoor championship meet. She explains how beneficial it has been to be able to compete with not only teammate Julia Fixsen, who has cleared 14-8.50 (4.48m), but also Bridget Guy-Williams, who placed third Feb. 27 at the USATF Indoor Championships with a 15-5 (4.70m) clearance at The Podium in Spokane, Wash. Baxter revisits the emotional conclusion of her outdoor season last year, which included experiencing a no height at the Division 1 Championship at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., only for her to rebound and clear 14-5.25 (4.40m) at the same venue two weeks later at the U.S. Olympic Trials. She also shares the mental barriers of attempting vaults during practice, and how she has been able to continue to perform well in competitions thanks to the support of Virginia Tech pole vault coach Bob Phillips, as well as teammates and friends. Baxter analyzes the potential of the Hokies to challenge for a podium finish at the Division 1 indoor meet, as well as her opportunity to contend for a national title and become the first women's pole vaulter in program history to capture an indoor championship in her sixth career appearance at an NCAA finals.