California state and national junior class record holder scheduled to compete for first time since July on familiar runway that has already showcased several memorable moments during pandemic, including national high school record

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

It’s been 16 weeks since Westlake High senior Paige Sommers vaulted in competition at the Big Red Barn in Sun City, Calif.

But with training opportunities still limited as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the California state and national junior class record holder can’t wait to return to the runway Saturday in the women’s elite section at the Vaulter Club Vaulter Magazine Big Red Barn Fall Fest meet.

“My dad (John) and I were extremely excited to start my first meet in November since it’s been a weird year with Coronavirus affecting the amount of meets I have,” Sommers said. “I’m using this meet as a kickstart to the year in order to get more motivated for future meets.”

In previous years, the 17-year-old Sommers would usually get started in January, with her first competition often being the annual UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit in Reno.

But with meet directors Doug Bouma and Derek Bouma scheduling events Saturday, along with Nov. 20-21 and Dec. 12, it will provide Sommers with a head start on her pursuit of the national high school record and her first California state title next year.

“I just ran hills (Friday), so I already know (Saturday) I won’t be competing on fresh legs, but that’s OK because this is more of a practice meet for me,” Sommers said. “I’m just hoping to get back into learning my meet routine and getting a feel for competing again. Although my competitive side will definitely come out (Saturday), I’m trying to make sure I’m not super hard on myself and instead focus on having fun since I haven’t been preparing too hard for meets just yet.”

Much like her stretch between March and June, Sommers has been focused more on improving herself as an athlete, and then applying that training into her speed on the runway and technique in the air.

“Training has been very similar to summer since everything is still shut down, and I’m just now being allowed to pole vault at my high school,” Sommers said. “I’m finally getting back into my normal routine, however, there are a lot of restrictions, so finding a place to do outside training such as weights and sprints has been difficult. My parents have been a huge help, though, with finding ways to work around this difficult time.”

Sommers, who set the state and national junior class records Feb. 22 with a 14-6 (4.42m) clearance at the Thousand Oaks Invitational, competed three times during the summer at the Big Red Barn facility.

The highlight came June 28 when Leah Pasqualetti of Orchard Park High in New York, now a freshman at Kent State, set the national high school outdoor record by clearing 14-8.25 (4.48m) and Sommers was second with a 14-1.75 (4.31m) effort, marking the first time two prep female vaulters achieved those heights in the same competition.

Sommers is motivated to not only eclipse Pasqualetti’s record before she graduates, but also become the first high school vaulter to produce a 15-foot clearance (4.57m).

She doesn’t anticipate that will occur this fall, but the opportunity for Sommers to compete for the first time July 18 will provide a good starting point on the journey to accomplishing more history in the future.

“My dad and I haven’t been able to vault as much as we’ve wanted to, but we are now starting to get into a routine,” Sommers said. “We are hoping to at least vault two days a week starting soon. Right now, my dad and I have been working on a faster and longer swing and not hanging at take off. On most jumps I hang and then crunch my legs to my chest which forces me to shoot out at the bar.

“My expectations are minimal since I’m training through these meets and not limiting practices leading up to it.”