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At most high school track meets, they toil in anonymity.

They are usually away from the bleachers of family and friends, trying to tame one of the most difficult events to master.

Pole vaulters are a special breed. They try to blend all of the skills of a track athlete — sprinting, jumping and stretching — all while trying to leap over a bar that is 10 to 14 feet in the air.

It is different than any other sport — and everyone associated with it realizes that fact.

"It is very unique," said Winnetonka pole vault coach Jeff Fogel. "It’s the most unique event in track and field and the most technical. I think the other vaulters appreciate that and have a sense of appreciation for what each person has to do. They share a common bond."

And that bond has created a tight-knit community. No matter what jersey a competitor wears during competition, they are all part of one team. They aren’t really competing against each other, they are competing against the bar.

"I think it’s because it takes so much time that we are practicing all of the time," said Samee Schramm, a recent Winnetonka graduate. "It’s so different. It takes a specific skill to do it, so we usually end up getting together and practicing at the same place because there are only so many people that really know what they are doing. We are always looking out for each other."

It’s not uncommon to see pole vaulters from different teams giving each other advice or sharing each other’s poles.

"You really can’t do it by yourself," said Kearney’s Sydney Haase. "You need help all of the time. Your coaches can’t always be down there for you. Everybody has always been really friendly and helped out.

"I’ve had friends from Lee’s Summit West really help me out. They have let me borrow their poles when I have needed them."

The difficulty of trying to master the event doesn’t seem to be a deterrent. Both Schramm and Haase were gymnasts before becoming pole vaulters. Now, neither can see herself doing something else.

"Coach Fogel was my gymnastics coach and when I finally got into high school, he suggested trying a school sport," Schramm said. "I started it and loved it. I’m addicted to it."

Said Haase: "I love it because I like going high. I like the free fall and I like being around everybody. You can always get better. There’s no stopping point."

Schramm will attempt to walk-on and compete at the University of Missouri. She hopes the camaraderie and goodwill among the vaulters she experienced in high school continues in college.

"I think the competition steps up a little bit," Schramm said. "My four years (at Winnetonka) here have been so great. Vaulting has been like my family. I don’t know what to expect going to college. Hopefully, it will stay somewhat the same way."

Sports writer Kevin Goodwin can be reached at 389-6652 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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