Without ever taking a jump, Katie Hawkins is already the best pole vaulter on the Fort Lewis College women’s track and field team.
The Bayfield High School senior signed a National Letter of Intent to compete in the pole vault for the Skyhawks. Fort Lewis’ women’s track and field team will enter only its third season as a varsity sport during the 2016-17 season.
“I think staying local and watching my teammates pole vault and continue watching my brother play football was big to me,” said Hawkins, daughter of Cindy and Frank Hawkins. “It’s a really good school. Everyone loves it. I think Durango is one of the best towns, and everything lined up and worked out.”
Hawkins will bring her personal record of 9 feet, 1 inch to the young FLC women’s outdoor track and field team where she has already eclipsed the current school record of 8-10.75, which was set by Carley Carter in 2015. Carter also holds the school’s indoor record at 9-05, also set in 2015.
The athletic Bayfield senior will get a feel for balancing school and training for an intense event like pole vault.
“I expect practices to be longer, and I expect to be on my game 24/7,” Hawkins said. “I’ll be ready to jump in whatever weather. I’ll be able to go to practice with an open mind about new coaching. Also, be around new athletes and be in a whole new level of competitors.”
Her BHS pole vaulting coach, Nancy Harrington, understands what it takes to be a pole vaulter at the next level where she competed at Kansas State University.
“She’s a natural at pole vault,” Harrington said. “She understands how her body works. She comes from a long line of athletes in her family, so she understands what it takes to be at the next level.”
Harrington said the biggest hurdle Hawkins could face as a freshman at college is being homesick.
“When you see these kids go, usually their biggest issues is being away from their family and being alone,” she said. “They’re trying to figure out college classes and college practices, which is way more intensive than high school, so it’ll be good that she’s staying local because she’ll have the support of her family.”
Harrington added it will be nice for her to be able to pay attention to Hawkins next fall.
“It’ll be nice to see what she does,” Harrington said. “It’s a very technical sport, so it’s nice to see when these kids can go to the next level and do it for a little bit. They’ll understand that they’ll have a long season from September through June.”
Hawkins is plans to pursue a career in nursing. Handling the load of a student-athlete won’t be easy, but Hawkins said being a multi-sport athlete has helped balance her schedule.
“(It) has really helped me,” Hawkins said. “I just try to stay on top of my grades the best that I can. I’ll dedicate my time to studying.”
Before Hawkins can suit up for FLC, she has her eyes set on the BHS pole vault record of 9-8, which she will try and break this weekend at the Monte Vista Invitational. Hawkins’ personal record has already qualified her for this year’s Class 3A state meet.
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
