Athlete Name: Robert Russell
School: Sparkman High School
What was your most memorable meet and why?
My most memorable track meet is the 2015 7A section 4 meet. This is my most memorable meet because i finally won section as a senior.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
The meet where I faced the most competition is the 2015 4A-7A state championship, at this meet there were seven athletes over fourteen feet in the 7A pole vault.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most and why?
My favorite accomplishment during my high school career is setting the school record at the 2014 Huntsville Metro Championships. This was my favorite accomplishment because I not only had won my first meet ever but also jumped higher than anyone from Sparkman before me had jumped.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
If I could do it all over again I would have started pole vaulting as a seventh grader so that by the time I graduated I would have had six years of experience.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was the lack of facilities at Sparkman even though we are one of the largest schools in Alabama.
What will you miss the most?
The thing that I will miss the most is helping young pole vaulters who are just starting.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
My advice for younger athletes is to not be afraid to try new events, you never know when that event will be the one you are best at.
What are your post-highschool or college plans?
I will be running track at the University of Alabama in Huntsville while studying systems engineering.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to think Coaches Barnes, Gover, and Jones. I would especially like to thank my parents for being my biggest fans and supporters through all four years of my track journey.