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October 06, 2024

USATF Club Sunday Spotlight Austin Pole Vault and Throws

USATF Club Sunday Spotlight

Austin Pole Vault and Throws

Written by: Ben Ploetz and Brandon Frye

 

1. What is your club’s official name?

Austin Pole Vault & Throws

2. Where is your club based (where do you practice)?

1201 S. Heatherwilde Blvd 

Pflugerville, Texas

3. When was your club established?

August 2018

4. What is your coaching background?

Pole vault coach Brian Elmore:

Coach Brian Elmore is a long-standing pillar in the pole vault community. In the fall of 2000, University of Texas coach Dana Boone asked Brian if he would assist her in starting a women's vault team. The program got going, starting with just one young lady and a couple of poles. He coached the first UT female Big 12 pole vault champion, and went on a run of 8 consecutive Big 12 victories including NAIA indoor and outdoor champions and record holders. During that time Brian also coached UT’s first female NCAA pole vault champion and NCAA indoor record holder. Prior to the University of Texas, he served as a coach of the Austin Striders from ’91-’94. In '97 Brian founded Lone Star Pole Vaulting and went on to produce 10 UIL State Champions, 2 UIL record holders, 9 private school champions and 2 records, 2 USATF Junior Olympic Champions, and 7 AAU record holder Junior Olympic Champions. He is a certified master level pole vault official.


5. What is your athletic background?

Coach Brian Elmore is a former pole vaulter and former bull rider too! 


6. How many coaches do you have on your staff?

5 coaches:

  • Ben Ploetz - Pole Vault, high jump
  • Brian Elmore - pole vault
  • Jamie Riojas - throws, discus, shot put, hammer
  • Laurie McElroy - hurdles, sprints, starts, relays 
  • Ben Skrla - throws, shot put, discus



7. What is your coaching philosophy?

We are passionate about helping athletes reach and exceed their potential as future track and field athletes while they have fun doing it! Our vision is to foster a culture of athletic excellence, and help athletes move on to college athletics if that is their goal.



 8. On a scale of 1-10, how competitive is your program?

Hmmm, depends on athletes at some levels, but I would say 10



9. What is the age range of the athletes you coach?

11-50, middle school to masters programs 

10. How many athletes are part of your program?

50+

11. Who has been the most successful athlete from your program?  

Good question, several success stories:

 

 


12. What is your proudest coaching moment in your career?

So many, helping athletes rebound after some of their toughest moments and perceived failures 

13. Do you coach all track and field or long distance running events? If not, which ones do you not coach?

Track and field, mainly field events

14. Why did you become a coach?

"I became a coach because I have always gotten satisfaction from helping others succeed. As an athlete, I enjoyed mentoring younger athletes as others had done for me. My freshman year of HS I had a young pole vault coach that made a difference not only in my life, but to all of the vaulters in our crew. Coach Danis created an atmosphere that motivated us all to be better and help each other. When I got the opportunity to open Austin Pole Vault and Throws and have a pole vault sanctuary with an amazing training space, technology,  and elite coaching, I knew we were going to change lives. Being able to give young athletes an opportunity to fulfill their potential is why I coach. I'm fortunate enough be surrounded by great people and have a great facility to help me live out my coaching dreams." - Coach Ben Ploetz


15. Which sports/disciplines do you coach?

Pole vault, throws (discus, shot put, hammer), high jump (growing category), hurdles (pretty new addition), Sprints and relays