Tarleton State pole vaulters bring energy, break school records

BY MICAELA SULLIVAN

Multimedia Journalist

As the years go by, Tarleton State University’s track and field team continues to grow and introduce new and important members to the team.

On the pole vault team, connection, encouragement and a healthy, competitive environment has nurtured what may very well become one of the best teams at Tarleton.

Many athletes on the team have been with the program for a couple of years and have watched it grow and shape into the program it is today.

Jacob Thomas, who grew up in Taft, Texas, has been a part of the pole vault team since 2024.

Following his transfer to Tarleton from Abilene Christian University, Thomas assumed leadership within the pole vault team according to Assistant Coach David Claybrooks.

“His leadership and dedication are highly commendable,” Claybrooks said.

He strived significantly for not only personal records but also for school records. In Houston at the Robert Platt Invitational, he broke his 5.03-meter record, clearing a 5.06 meter for the first time ever.

As a senior, Thomas said that while the team has gone through changes over the years, “I genuinely think that this group of people will be the best group that Tarleton will ever have.”

“I’ve watched myself battle with getting back to where I was in high school, and now it’s crazy that I’m actually achieving goals I’ve set for myself five years ago,” Thomas said.

Alongside Thomas, sophomore Rhett Williams, the newest addition to the pole vault team, has also been breaking his own records, vaulting 4.61 meters at the Robert Platt Invitational.

“Over the past year, I’ve raised my personal best by almost three feet. A lot of that comes from being around teammates and coaches who believe in me, along with my own drive to improve,” Williams said. “…My passion for the vault has only grown, and I’m excited to keep building on that this season.”

The transition into the team was nothing but welcoming and encouraging according to Williams. He said that Tarleton’s track and field team is unique in committing themselves to excellence.

“Every weekend we’re seeing school records and even national-level marks being hit. That only happens when you’ve got a group that truly wants to be the best, and that energy is contagious,” Williams said.

Williams said his favorite memory from vaulting with Tarleton came from his first practice with Thomas.

“We were joking around and trash-talking a bit, and after his first jump I told him I’d show him how it’s done. I ended up jumping right around the school-record height, and everyone—including me—was shocked,” Williams said. “It was funny, but it also set the tone for how competitive our training environment would be.”

The last male vaulter is Aston Kollatschny, a junior in his third year pole vaulting with Tarleton. He said his biggest accomplishment he achieved at Tarleton with the track and field team was in the 2025 outdoor season.

Kollatschny came into the outdoor season without having too much of an indoor season. At his first outdoor meet, he jumped a two-time PR at 15’3”, placing 9th in program history.

Kollatschny later jumped a 15 '5.5 " which qualified him for his first outdoor conference.

“…With my hard work over the season, I placed my first ever outdoor conference as 7th place, giving the team some points,” Kollatschny said. “Even though not hitting the height I wanted, it gave me a goal that was accomplished that I set in the beginning of the year.”

Kollatschny continued to reflect on the impact of those jumps.

“Anything is possible if you put your mind to it, and it showed me that I can do anything,” Kollatschny said. “I will always thank the old coach that signed me, giving me a chance to be here, and this is all I want to have.”

Kollatschny’s goals for the 2026 season and next year is to medal at conference in both indoor and outdoor and finish the year vaulting around 17 feet.

He said he would also like to establish himself as a serious regional contender and would love to take a shot at Puerto Rico’s national record in pole vault.

“To future athletes, never give up on your goals. Some dreams take years to build, but trust yourself and trust the Lord to give you the strength to keep going,” Kollatschny said. “There were seasons when I wanted to quit, when I questioned why I was even doing this. But I once heard a quote, ‘When you’re driving, the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror.’ That means your focus should always be ahead of you, not behind. Set your goals, keep your eyes forward and give them everything you’ve got. One day you will accomplish that goal. I believe it.”

While the men's pole vault team has had broad success, the women's pole vaulters have had their fair share of accomplishments.

Sage Barmettler is one of the two women pole vaulters on the pole vault team. She is a senior who holds the second-highest outdoor pole vault jump in school history with a height of 3.72 meters. She also holds second in school history in indoor pole vault with a height of 3.75 meters.

“Sage Barmettler exemplifies the spirit of Team Tarleton, consistently demonstrating dedication and effort in practice, even while actively participating in multiple university organizations,” Claybrooks said.

Last, but certainly not least, Chandler Wilson, is a sophomore vaulter. In her first year, she competed in four indoor meets and finished 11th at the indoor conference meet, setting her personal best at 3.63 meters.

Wilson also competed in two outdoor meets and turned out in 9th  place at the WAC Outdoor Championships in pole vault with a 3.53-meter vault.

Wilson has learned how to handle adversity, how to lead and how to remain faithful through various trials in her sport.

“Most importantly, it has given me people that make this place feel like home,” Wilson said. “I am extremely proud to be a part of this program and to continue representing the university.”

Wilson stated that she will forever be grateful for her time at Tarleton State University. She said that it has not only shaped her as an athlete, but also a person.

“What sets Tarleton apart from other teams would be the fact that it feels like a family. Some of the friendships I have made on the team are ones that I will have for the rest of my life. There is also a strong sense of pride in representing our university, and everyone is committed to building something special within the program. Additionally, the coaching staff have spent countless hours investing in me and supporting me throughout my career,” Wilson said.

Claybrooks said that despite a two-year hiatus from competition, Wilson has been an unwavering pillar of the team through her diligent effort and commitment.

Furthermore, Claybrooks states that the pole vault team has embraced the challenge he presented to them in August.

“The aim is for our athletes to secure positions within the top 75 in the region and have someone qualify for the NCAA West First Round in Fayetteville, Arizona,” Claybrooks said.

Through every record, trophy and individual milestone, both the work and strong connection with the pole vault team and the rest of the track and field athletes is what is creating a team that will make historical marks on Tarleton State University for years to come.