This site is for Dexter athletes in Spring, and 'Up and Running' USATF Club members in Winter and Summer. Dexter athletes attend Dexter High School and Millcreek Middle School in Washtenaw County, Southeast Michigan. 

'Up and Running' covers 3rd grade to Master's level athletes interested in other Track and Field events. Club vaulters represent Dexter, Chelsea, Gabriel Richard, Grass Lake, Green Hills, Grosse Point, Huron, Lincoln, Manchester, Monroe, Pinckney, Saline, Skyline and Tecumseh schools, and several universities, including EMU, UM, MSU, OSU, BYU, Illinois State, Indiana Tech, and Wash U. 

During Summer 2022, we coached 89 vaulters, 3rd grade through college. About half were Dexter athletes and half represented at least 18 other schools.

 Coaching philosophy

We coach beginners to advanced level athletes. 

We want vaulters to: have fun, own their training, recognize their limitations & natural capacities, focus on skill weaknesses, set realistic goals, play a key role in their development, take care of each other, and recognize how time commitments impact skill development. 

Our athletes write specific goals. We read books on sports psychology and mindfulness with them. We monitor how far athletes want to go with pole vaulting and match their goals with their progress, ambition and abilities. Above all, we have fun, because stress and disappointment aren't fun.

Above: Vaulting at the venue where three girls' records were set including an all-time state record (12'-7" in 2008) and two recent school records (12'-8" in 2021, 13'-6" in 2022).

Below: Our athletes name poles.

Above: Getting the respect I deserve.

Below: 2021 State Meet. Dexter had Boys and Girls State Champions and State Runners-up. Left to right: Josie 2nd, Sophia 1st, Cole 1st, Noah 2nd. 

Above: Regionals 2015, Dexter girls placed 1st through 8th, earning the maximum point total, 39. Dexter girls have placed at least 6 in the top 8 in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021.

Below: 2015 Regional girls and boys.

Above: Pool party celebrating the Olympics, our Seniors, and Summer. 

Below: Reno Vault Summit.

Above: First time one of our girls went 12' in 2007. As of now, 9 of our girls have gone 12' or higher 78 times. 

Below: Outdoor Nationals in North Carolina. The road trips are fun. 

Above: Movie night at the indoor facility we used prior to 2022.

Below: Movie after an Easter egg hunt. 

Above: 'Teach Your Parents to Vault' Day!

Below: Designer Holiday cookies at coach's house.

Above: Breakfast at the track. 

Below: Cook-out with friends, bugs and S'Mores.

Above: Grand Haven Beach Vault ca. 2008

Below: A gymnastics party. 

Cole and Sophia signed to pole vault at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, respectively. These pics are of the signing ceremony at DHS, Dec 16, 2021.