Pole Vault
Pole Vault requires dedication to the event and 2-3 days of Vaulting practice each week. Lifting and Speed workouts outside of vault practice will be instrumental to help you reach new heights! Coaches will slowly add one mechanic on at a time before adding on for safety and mastering basic fundamentals for long term growth!
School Record Holders
LiLi Raidt - 11’1” - 2023
LiLi started her vaulting journey as an 8th grader during her first middle school track season. Prior to track, LiLi had already established herself as a star, earning a spot at the MSHSL State Championships for Gymnastics as a 7th grader. Coaches were confident, combining her gymnastics, strength, and speed, LiLi would make an immediate impact. LiLi was hesitant, but with a friend (Morgan Stock) by her side finally decided to give it a shot! Though Morgan left vaulting to focus on Basketball, LiLi had built strong friendships with other vaulters, Logan Kiel, Bethany Langer (Sprinter ), Maretta Henriksen, and Mackayla Laumann as the group continues to push each other. LiLi attends summer and winter vaulting sessions outside of gymnastics and work (Laketown Gymnastics) as well as off season lifting so she’s ready to rock and roll when the Track and Field season begins! Fun fact, LiLi tied the school recond on her first meet of her senior season, progressed throughout, and ended the season at the 2AAA section championsip with her personal record. LiLi is currently chasing higher PR’s and a nursing degree at the College of Saint Benedict.
Travis Reighard - 15’ 5” - 2022
Travis started his vaulting journey as a 7th grader during his first middle school track season when he was a three sport athlete (Soccer, Basketball, and Track). He was immediately hooked after experimenting a couple of times. Right away, Travis became a student of his craft, not only analyzing his own mechanics but listening in when Ben Cravens and Jim Burroughs would talk with Coach Kray, knowing he could apply that information to his own vaults as well. Since establishing himself as a vaulter, Travis was eager to share his knowledge and experiences with teammates Anthony Vettel and Logan Kiel. Travis was a two-year varsity soccer player and ran sprints on the track and field team. He attended summer and winter training sessions for lifting, speed, and vaulting so he was ready to rock and roll when the Track and Field season started. Travis was a two time state qualifer, placing 4th in 2021 and taking home the championship in 2022 for AAA. Travis vaulted his freshman year and is currently chasing an engineering degree at North Dakota State University.
2024 Vault Squad
Seniors
Delanie Chuma - Jace Jager - Alivia Dawson
Juniors
Maretta Henriksen - Mackayla Laumann
Alyssa Damann - Avery Sheldon
Charlie Steffen
Sophmores
Bennett Trapp - Elle Baggenstoss
Freshmen
Brayden Donnley - Everett Worm
Colin Bolton - John Eddie
8th / 7th Graders
Beckett Marsh / Kort Balmer
Coach - Mark Bullis
Waconia Alumni Competing in College
LiLi Raidt - College of Saint Benedict
Logan Kiel - Saint John's University
Waconia Pole Vault Apparel
Need a Waconia Pole Vault t-shirt or sweatshirt? Hustle & Heart Sports in Waconia has our vault logo (top left image) ready to go! Just stop in, pick your clothing article off the shelf, and they will press the image right on. This opportunity is open for all athletes and fans!
Off Season Training
Coach HIGHLY suggests you join a fall sport; football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, girls swimming, girls tennis, dance. Literally any and all of these fall sports can/will help you when it comes to vaulting as they will make you more “body aware," work different muscle groups, and keep you physically active.
If these sports don’t have you in the weight room often, PLEASE find time to lift regularly; OFF SEASON LIFTING WITH JOSH, at home, anytime fitness, or Safari. Off season lifting out of the high school with Josh will start the first week of school for 9-12th graders and costs $50 per season. To be eligible for fall/winter lifting your parents need to register you for a winter or spring sport (Track) in which they can already register you now and register you for off season lifting! Before school middle school opporutnity.
If you cannot commit to a full HS sport season in the fall and/or winter and you want to fully commit to vaulting you need to make a commitment to yourself. 1. Hit the weight room often. 2. Do sprint/running workouts regularly. 3. Stay off the couch/chair/phone!
Fall/Winter/Summer Vaulting
If you have time, here are a couple vaulting options for fall and/or winter. If you know of any other fall/winter vaulting options please let Coach Bullis know. Due to MSHSL restrictions, Coach Bullis is not allowed to work with high school athletes during the Fall or Winter.
0. Waconia summer info is at the bottom…Keep Scrollin!
1. Chaska Pole Vault - Close and affordable - BAM!
2. Twin Valley pole vault - Bullis speculates this is the cheapest option (still spendy and a drive to New Ulm) , likely best for beginners.
3. Fleigle’s Flyers - Bullis speculates this would be good once you’re literally ALL IN on pole vault and ready for “the next level.” Pretty expensive and based out of Hamline University.
4. Zero Gravity - We’re still waiting on info as they are negotiating rental space costs and days of practice. Hopefully, it will end up being the cheapest option based out of Rockford. We’ll let you know once we have more information. Until then you and/or your parents may want to follow them on Facebook. If you want to call the coach, Paul, for more information his cell number is (763)-670-5687.
5. January and February Indoor Pole Vault at Waconia Middle School - 2024
Indoor Pole Vault Grades 7th-12th
Arrive on time, indoor pole vault requires the group to set up and take down the mats! Liv Spitzer, Chaska Varsity Coach, will be coaching. Come vault, shake off the winter rust and prep for the upcoming season!
3:30-5:30 pm - Waconia MS East/Center Gym - Min: 5 / Max: 15
Tues, Jan 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 $90
Thurs, Jan 4, 11, 18 & 25 $72
Tues, Feb 6, 13, 20 & 27 $72
Thurs, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 $90
Register By: Dec 21 / Jan 25
Qualifiers & Champions
— Mike Kray Retired after 2022 —
STATE CHAMP - 2022 - Travis Reighard
Conference Champ - 2022 - Travis Reighard
Hamline Elite - 2022 - Travis Reighard - 2nd Place
— Metro West Conference and Class AAA —
STATE - 2021 - Travis Reighard - 4th Place
Conference Champ - 2021 - Travis Reighard
Conference Champ - 2019 - Jim Burroughs
Conference Champ - 2017 - Haley Bender
— Wright County East Conference —
STATE - 2016 - Zach Olsem - 6th Place
— Coach Bullis joined the vault world in 2016 —
STATE - 2015 - Zach Olsem - 2nd Place
Conference Champ - 2014 - Zach Olsem
Conference Champ - 2013 - Mark Brose
— Mike Kray Started Coaching in 2011 —
—Wright County Conference and Class AA —
STATE - 1995 - Uriah Houg -9th Place
— Class A Competitor —
2023 Summer Vaulting!
Click here to Register: Full 15 days - Mini Sessions / Intro Camp
- After checkout, a waiver sheet will pop up to be filled out, please print and bring to your first session. Waconia Public Schools and Waconia Community Education have no connection to this Waconia Pole Vault opportunity.
2 - Day Intro camp - Please email mrbullis@isd110.org if you are interested in this opportunity. This is intended to let athletes try pole vault before commiting to an entire summer. Potential dates - June 6th and 7th - 10:00am-11:30am
- T-Shirt not included.
Mini Sessions- Pick three consecutive days below and attend them in a row.
- Cost $50 per three days - T-Shirt not included.
- Intended for athletes who have lots of plans all summer long.
All Summer Vaulting with Waconia T-shirt - 8:30-9:50am - Cost $200
June 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, 29th,
July 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 25th,
Potential rain dates - July 26th and 27th
Need your help to put mats away on July 20th or the last rain day.
Coach Bullis would like to help pole vaulters build upon prior track and field experiences or start for the first time ever. Pole vault requires a lot of repetition and time in order to become comfortable with current techniques before advancing and adding on. The more consistent you attend the more progress we can aim to make.
The cost for this year’s vaulting will be $200 for 15 sessions for Waconia athletes. Coach Bullis plans on attending every day, in the event he in unable, Coach Mike Kray or school record holders, NDSU vaulter Travis Reighard and St. Ben’s vaulter LiLi Raidt, may fill in. Personal helmets are required for every jump, so please make sure to bring your own (Any bike or scooter helmet will work, or we have a few to share) along with a filled water bottle every day.
Hopefully you have found this program to be the cheapest in the state. In the event, money is an issue holding you back from registration please reach out to coach Bullis about a sponsorship.
Any questions reach out to mrbullis@isd110.org.
Summer lifting is strongly encouraged: Click here for registration.
HS lifting sessions: 10:15am- 11:15am, or 11:15-12:15
- Wednesday turf can flex to 7:00am for speed and strength
MS lifting sessions: 10:25-11:25am
In the event lifting is full and you still want to join, please let coach Bullis know!
