Vault under the lights in Parker County
VaultCats PV Club is a place for pole vaulters to train and get better. Small evening groups, a lit runway south of Azle, and coaching from John Rhodes for first-timers through state qualifiers.
Training
Sessions, small groups, real reps
Training runs in sessions through the year. Groups mix ages and experience, so a first-day vaulter can jump next to someone heading to State.
The calendar
Each session is a block of weekly practices. Summer wraps with a fun jump at the house for anyone not heading to College Station.
A typical week
Practices run in the evening, often after sundown under the runway lights.
Extra morning sessions pop up on nice days and in summer. Times are confirmed when you sign up.
How a preseason builds
Nobody starts on a full run. Every vaulter works up in strides and pole size, then carries it into meet season.
Short approaches on soft poles until everyone has a steady 4-stride run.
Back off the ground on small poles, working the plant and take-off.
Once the jumps are clean, move to 5 lefts and a bigger pole.
6 lefts and meet poles, ready for indoor and summer competition.
The facility
A backyard built for vaulting
A runway and a full landing pit under the lights, so practice keeps going after the sun goes down.
Floodlights over the runway and pit, so training keeps going after sundown.
Vaulters work their approach and find their check marks on the same runway every practice.
A full landing pit with standards for a crossbar or a bungee.
Practices run in small groups, so every vaulter gets real reps and real coaching.
Results
VaultCats in competition
From first-time PRs to state medals, the work in the backyard shows up at meets. A few recent highlights.
Cleared 17'0.75" as an Aledo senior to win the 2023 Texas Relays. He now vaults for Texas Tech.
Cleared 15'3" at the Off The Grid Summer Jam, and holding down on a 14'6 pole heading into his senior season.
State bronze medalist with two more years of high school to go.
Tied for first, then won it in a jump-off by clearing his best jump of the day under pressure.
Addie at 12'6, Emma at 12' and Kam at 11'9, and all three have been to the State Meet.
Meets
Where you'll see us jump
Learning to compete under pressure matters as much as learning skills, so VaultCats travel to vault meets all year.
A joint meet with Off The Grid in Granbury, results posted on Athletic.net.
The fall meet at Off The Grid, with candy bags for the winners of each group.
The big summer meet in College Station that the summer session builds toward.
A relaxed backyard meet to wrap the summer session, often full of PRs.
Jumps from the runway
More on Facebook
Questions
Before your first night
Do I need experience?
No. Sunday groups mix ages, with some vaulters on their very first day next to others in their second or third season. Coach Rhodes starts everyone on short runs and small poles.
Who can join?
Middle school, high school and college vaulters train here, plus a few who come back to jump just for fun. Message Coach Rhodes and he'll find the right group.
Where is it?
South of Azle and about 7 miles north of I-20 in Parker County. Message Coach Rhodes for directions.
Do I need my own poles?
New vaulters start on small, soft poles at practice. Ask Coach Rhodes about poles when you reach out.
What does it cost?
Reach out to Coach Rhodes for current pricing and open spots.
Every vaulter learns the same way: one stride, one pole size at a time.
Join the club
Come jump with the Cats
Session 2 starts Sunday, November 15. There's room for a few more vaulters, whether it's your first time on a runway or you're chasing a state medal.
Send Coach Rhodes a message with the vaulter's name, age and experience.
Email Coach Rhodes Message on FacebookParker County, Texas