Brooke Walden from Homewood won the 6A Girls Pole Vault last Friday at the AHSAA State Meet clearing 12-03.00 and setting an Indoor PR. She broke her previous State Record of 12-01.25 from 2021.
Could you share with me how it feels to get an indoor PR and State Record to conclude your indoor career?
It feels great to be able to leave with a new State Record. I wouldn't have wanted it to end any other way! I am so thankful for the past five years being able to compete in an indoor facility with an amazing community around me. I am sad that it is over but excited for what is to come!
What got you into pole vaulting?
I was a gymnast for 11 years. Decided to quit when I got to Level 8 and the Homewood track coach called my mom to get me to come to practice and try it. It was really hard to learn at first but then I just fell in love with it and decided I wanted to take it seriously. I started getting private coaching from Rod Tiffin and joined the clubs of Birmingham Vault Club and Peak Athletics for summer vaulting.
What's your most memorable vault?
I think it's definitely between last year's Outdoor State [meet] or at the Reno Pole Vault Summit this January. Last season I wasn't able to compete all of indoor and most of outdoor but then got healthy right before Outdoor State and ended up jumping a PR of 12'6" which also helped a lot in college recruiting. I then recently went to the Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada where I jumped another PR of 12'08". I loved this meet because of the atmosphere I was in.
Can you describe that atmosphere of the Pole Vault Summit for a non-vaulter?
I would describe it as probably the most chaotic but fun thing you can experience haha. There are a total of 14 pits in one arena and each pit has about 15 to 20 vaulters with multiple sessions throughout the day. So many amazing coaches and athletes that will benefit you in the vaulting world which is something you do not see very often at a normal track meet. The girls or boys you get to jump with have the same goals and mindset as you which is something every athlete should experience.
Who would be on your dream pole vault runway with you?
Some people who would be on my dream pole vault runway would definitely be Katie Nageotte, Sandi Morris, and Gabriela Leon. Of course there are more I look up to but these three women stick out to me the most! I would obviously love to have Mondo Duplantis on there too.
Is there any one specific place you would want to vault at?
I would love to get to vault at the Oregon track for a national meet.
What's your pre-vault routine?
I like to have a chill day before which includes a nice shakeout, stretching, and rolling. The next day I like to get up, eat a big breakfast and make sure I am drinking lots of water. I love to listen to music all morning to get my mind right and focus on the little things I want to accomplish/focus on for that meet.
What are some of your top songs to listen to before the meet?
My all time favorite when I am nervous is Coldplay but when I need to feel hyped I like to listen to rap (Rod Wave, Gunna, Lil Baby).
If you got stranded on a deserted island, which teammate would you choose to be stranded with?
I would choose Maris Owen because she would keep me laughing and be very entertaining.
What are your top three favorite movies?
Harry Potter Series, Unbroken, My Girl.
What's the best one in the Harry Potter Series?
The third one (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) where they are able to go back in time.
Have you committed to vault in college?
Yes! I committed to continue vaulting at Auburn University.
What made Auburn appealing to you?
I have grown up with a huge Auburn family. My great Uncle is Pat Sullivan and both of my parents were cheerleaders there. My sister currently goes there and when I went on my visit I just felt like it was the place for me. There is a new coaching staff that is amazing and the community of the team was very friendly. Auburn's atmosphere is just unbeatable.
What will you miss most about Homewood track and field when it's all said and done?
I am definitely going to miss my teammates the most. We are all splitting up and going to different colleges so that will be an adjustment and weird to not do workouts together anymore.
Is there any final height you have your eyes set on for Outdoor?
Definitely over 13 feet.
