As a high school student, the last thing on my mind was becoming a pole vaulter. I had never even considered it until my senior year, when I was introduced to the sport. To my surprise, I quickly fell in love with it and knew that I wanted to continue pole vaulting in college. However, I soon discovered that the recruitment process was not going to be easy.

During the recruitment process, most coaches I spoke with saw me as a potential heptathlete, despite my strong desire to specialize in pole vaulting. They expressed concerns about my lack of experience in the event. Coaches also emphasized the importance of being well-rounded to contribute to the team. Despite my belief in my own potential to excel in pole vaulting, I found myself getting discouraged and frustrated as each coach laughed off the idea of me pole vaulting for them.

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Despite the rejections, I continued to search for a coach who would see my potential and believe in me. After countless conversations with coaches, I finally found a university that was willing to give me a chance to pole vault. It was my only option, and I knew that I needed to make the most of it.

Although the recruitment process was not ideal, everything worked out in the end. The coaches who denied me showed me the schools I did not want to represent. I learned how to to fight for myself as an athlete. My hard work eventually paid off breaking the school record and then transferring to the University of Arkansas, one of the top track and field programs in the nation. In 2023, my team and I won the national championship, and I won the pole vault.

Looking back on my recruitment journey, I wish I had more knowledge to navigate it on my own. However, I am thankful that I knew how important it is to fight for oneself as an athlete. It is not always easy to pursue one's passion, especially when faced with obstacles and rejection, but it is crucial to keep pushing forward. As I reflect on my experience, I hope that other aspiring athletes can find inspiration in my story. Keep searching for the coach or the team that believes in you and your potential. 

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* Originally published on June 6, 2023, by Amanda Fassold