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2026 Pre-Season Track & Field Previews: Boys Pole Vault


The Illinois high school track season has showcased elite talent in the pole vault, and the Top 10 ranked boys pole vaulters across Classes 1A through 3A represent the top competitors in the state. Demanding a rare combination of speed, strength, technical precision, and confidence, the pole vault often produces some of the most dramatic and memorable moments of any meet. From consistent bar clearers to athletes who rise under championship pressure, each vaulter on this list has earned his ranking through consistent performances and success against top-level competition. Together, they highlight the depth, skill, and excitement of boys pole vault across Illinois high school track and field.


3A

  1. Parker Owens (So., Edwardsville)

PR - 16'4.75"

  • 5th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals

  • 3rd at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • O'Fallon Sectional Champion

  • Southwestern Conference Champion

  • Illinois Top Times Champion


  1. Hayden Dahlin (Sr., Barrington)

PR - 15'6"

  • 4th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • MSL Nagel-Saylor Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Cooper Bowman (Sr., Minooka)

PR - 15'1"

  • 5th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Minooka Sectional Champion

  • SPC Conference Champion

  • SPC Indoor Conference Champion


  1. William Mercure (Sr., Lake Villa [Lakes])

PR - 15'1"

  • 6th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Grayslake Central Sectional Champion

  • NLCC Conference Champion

  • Lake County Champion


  1. Jacob Soderstrom (Sr., Lockport)

PR - 15'6.5"

  • 8th at IHSA 3A State Meet


  1. Jack Kruger (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect])

PR - 14'7.5"

  • 9th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Deerfield Sectional Champion


  1. Jaxson Waddell (Jr., Minooka)

PR - 14'5.25"

  • 10th at IHSA 3A State Meet


  1. Gavin Mulhall (Sr., Bartlett)

PR - 14'8"

  • 17th at IHSA 3A State Meet


  1. Anthony Orestano (Sr., Roselle [Lake Park])

PR - 14'6"

  • 17th at IHSA 3A State Meet


  1. Oliver Wintermute (Sr., Glen Ellyn [Glenbard West])

PR - 14'3"

  • NH at IHSA 3A State Meet


2A

  1. Isaiah Whitaker (Sr., Bloomington Central Catholic)

PR - 18'1"

  • AAU Region 13 Champion

  • 4th at U-20 National Championships

  • State Champion at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • El Paso-Gridley Sectional Champion

  • Illini Prairie Conference Champion

  • Illinois Top Times Champion

  • Windy City Pole Vault Summit Champion

  • New Balance Indoor National Champion

  • Millrose Games Champion

  • AAU Northern Indoor Nationals Champion


  1. Kyle Quaid-Bowman (Sr., Glen Ellyn [Glenbard South])

PR - 16'6"

  • 12th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals

  • State Champion at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Ridgewood Sectional Champion

  • Upstate 8 Conference Champion

  • DuPage County Champion

  • 7th at New Balance Indoor Nationals


  1. Andrew Nuyen (Sr., Rochelle)

PR - 17'1"

  • 8th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals

  • Runner-Up at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Rochelle Sectional Champion

  • Interstate 8 Conference Champion

  • 25th at New Balance Indoor Nationals


  1. Robert Williams (Sr., Mascoutah)

PR - 14'9"

  • 5th at AAU Junior Olympics

  • 3rd at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Mascoutah Sectional Champion


  1. Jacob Ross (Jr., Sandwich)

PR - 15'3"

  • 4th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Kishwaukee River Conference Champion

  • 28th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals


  1. Zane Meier (Jr., Troy [Triad])

PR - 15'2.25"

  • 5th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Civic Memorial Sectional Champion

  • Mississippi Valley Conference Champion

  • Madison County Champion


  1. Matthew Sherman (Sr., Danville)

PR - 14'6"

  • 11th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Big 12 Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Jack Wear (Jr., St. Joseph-Ogden)

PR - 14'1.25"

  • 9th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Tolono Unity Sectional Champion


  1. Calvin Leman (Sr., Morton)

PR - 14'5.25"

  • 10th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Mid-Illini Conference Champion


  1. Braelen Creighton (Sr., Woodstock North)

PR - 14'8.25"

  • 12th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Marmion Academy Sectional Champion

  • McHenry County Champion


1A

  1. Riley Hogan (Sr., Champaign [St. Thomas More])

PR - 15'6"

  • Runner-Up at AAU Junior Olympics

  • Runner-Up at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Dee-Mack Sectional Champion

  • Runner-Up at Illinois Top Times


  1. Jacob Veteto (Sr., Altamont)

PR - 14'10"

  • National Trail Conference Champion


  1. Gradyn Hartlaub (Jr., Riverton)

PR - 13'9.25"

  • 4th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Moweaqua (Central A&M) Sectional Champion

  • Sangamo Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Brody Brush (Sr., Rushville-Industry)

PR - 13'5.25"

  • 5th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Pleasant Plains Sectional Champion

  • West Central Conference Champion


  1. Peyton Curry (Jr., Shelbyville)

PR - 13'9.25"

  • 7th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • CIC Conference Champion


  1. Riley Foglesong (Jr., Astoria)

PR - 12'11.5"

  • 6th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Prairieland Conference Champion

  • Fulton County Champion


  1. Nathan Punke (Jr., Erie-Prophetstown)

PR - 12'11.75"

  • 9th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Rockridge Sectional Champion


  1. Brant Niebrugge (Jr., Teutopolis)

PR - 13'6"

  • NH at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Altamont Sectional Champion


  1. Asher Mirock (Jr., Downs [Tri-Valley])

PR - 13'0.25"

  • 10th at IHSA 1A State Meet


  1. Austin Homer (Sr., Carlinville)

PR - 12'11.75"

 
 
 
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