Grau becomes top pole vaulter at Mira Costa, in California

Parker Salomon

Staff Writer

After suffering from continuous injuries as a gymnast of nine years, including a fractured spine and broken ankle, freshman Brigette Grau decided to try pole vaulting in August. Now, eight months later, Grau is the number one-ranked freshman pole vaulter in California by California Interscholastic Federation.

With the help of coach Murray Mead, on March 12 at a meet held at Warren High School, Grau was able to clear an 11 foot, nine inch mark, earning her a first-place ranking in the state. With this mark, Grau beat the previous Mira Costa freshman and varsity records which were 9’ and 10’8,” respectively.

“It is really cool to be the number-one freshman pole vaulter in California,” Grau said. “All of my hard work is paying off, but I try to stay humble because other people have pole vaulted longer and have worked just as hard as me.”

The work ethic that she learned from years of gymnastics is what allows Grau to be so successful in the sport. Due to pole vaulting’s aerial-based movements, the sport is very similar to gymnastics, which is what allowed Grau to pick up the sport so quickly, according to Grau.

“Pole vaulting is 50 percent track and 50 percent gymnastics, which is why I was able to pick up the sport so quickly,” Grau said. “I enjoyed the extreme thrill and intensity of gymnastics, and the feeling of being upside down when pole vaulting gave me the same rush as gymnastics.”

Although she is number-one in the state, Grau is working toward a new goal, which is to break the world record in the girls’ 13-14 year old age group. In order to work toward this goal, Grau trains with Mead for three hours every day.

“As her parent, I am very proud of her, and I would hope that she continues to pursue her passion,” Ruth Grau, Brigitte Grau’s mother, said. “I am very supportive of Brigette’s choices, and I believe vaulting will take her far places.”