Pole vaulters
- Thread starter Whodja
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2017
- Messages
- 6,287
I don't think anyone actually states what those are. What makes a "blue chip" athlete can be an ever-changing set of criteria, based on who they have to choose from.
From a pure NCAA Division 1 standpoint, most colleges will be pretty darned interested if you're consistently vaulting 17'-0" or better.
There was a high school junior from Florida who was regularly clearing 17'-6" four years ago, and last March a high schooler from Louisiana (Armand “Mondo” Duplantis) cleared 19'-1". That guy had his pick of colleges, and signed with LSU.
With that said, USNA has a Plebe this year vaulting 16'-0" (at least he did last month) and a 2C (Junior) who vaulted 16'-4 3/4" at the same meet.
It could very well be that neither of them are "blue chip" athletes. They also have a Firstie who vaulted 15'-3", another Plebe who vaulted 15'-3", and another 2C who turned in a 16'-0" tally. Five vaulters on any college team is quite a few (in my opinion), and I would surmise that at least four (if not all of them) are walk-ons. It's just conjecture on my part, though. Whether or not the fact that they are vaulters helped them get an Appointment is anyone's guess, unless you know them and can ask!
From a pure NCAA Division 1 standpoint, most colleges will be pretty darned interested if you're consistently vaulting 17'-0" or better.
There was a high school junior from Florida who was regularly clearing 17'-6" four years ago, and last March a high schooler from Louisiana (Armand “Mondo” Duplantis) cleared 19'-1". That guy had his pick of colleges, and signed with LSU.
With that said, USNA has a Plebe this year vaulting 16'-0" (at least he did last month) and a 2C (Junior) who vaulted 16'-4 3/4" at the same meet.
It could very well be that neither of them are "blue chip" athletes. They also have a Firstie who vaulted 15'-3", another Plebe who vaulted 15'-3", and another 2C who turned in a 16'-0" tally. Five vaulters on any college team is quite a few (in my opinion), and I would surmise that at least four (if not all of them) are walk-ons. It's just conjecture on my part, though. Whether or not the fact that they are vaulters helped them get an Appointment is anyone's guess, unless you know them and can ask!
falconchic88
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2009
- Messages
- 1,124
My son is a recruited pole vaulter and will be going to NAPS this summer. I don't know if they actually used the term "blue chip" with him, but he was given his prep school appointment in November, not long after his official NCAA visit to USNA. His PR is 15'6. I would say as long as you are over 15' by your junior year, you will get looks from both USNA and USAFA, but how heavily they recruit you will depend on numerous factors. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!
Last edited:
Agree there is a difference in being recruited and blue chipped. I would doubt the coaches would give a height in which they blue chip. There are many factors the coaches use to blue chip someone. Especially with a sport like track and field, they could blue chip sprinters because that is where their gap is. Maybe it’s vaulters that year. They also look at the strength of an applicant. Someone with water walker stats and a great recruit the coaches might not blue chip because they can get in on their own accord. Best thing you can do is fill out the recruit questionnaire on the Navy Sports site, attend a summer camp and keep competing.
Last edited:
My DS is also a Pole Vault Recruit but to USAFA. He was also speaking with West Point and by the time Navy got around to him he had already committed to USAFA. The term Blue Chip, was also like falconchic88 said never said to my DS either and he will be at the Prep School next year. His Junior year PR was 15'7 but was over 15+ feet consistently and his 15+ were done at National Meets. Take a look at what the Academy guys are jumping & what vaulters in their Conference are jumping. You should be able to see if you are competitive. Either way, I recommend filling out the recruit form they can't speak to you unless you complete that step. There are very few vaulters in general compared to the other track and field events. Weed out the other pole vault guys who aren't interested in 100% military life emersion while in college or military in general. That leaves not a lot left on the table in my opinion. We are a small vault community all willing to help each other no matter which Academy you end up at. Good Luck and Go Air Force beat Navy! 
Sorry falconchic88 I had to. I just can't help myself. Already lol
Sorry falconchic88 I had to. I just can't help myself. Already lol
falconchic88
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2009
- Messages
- 1,124
LOL, at least we can both say "Beat Army"!My DS is also a Pole Vault Recruit but to USAFA. He was also speaking with West Point and by the time Navy got around to him he had already committed to USAFA. The term Blue Chip, was also like falconchic88 said never said to my DS either and he will be at the Prep School next year. His Junior year PR was 15'7 but was over 15+ feet consistently and his 15+ were done at National Meets. Take a look at what the Academy guys are jumping & what vaulters in their Conference are jumping. You should be able to see if you are competitive. Either way, I recommend filling out the recruit form they can't speak to you unless you complete that step. There are very few vaulters in general compared to the other track and field events. Weed out the other pole vault guys who aren't interested in 100% military life emersion while in college or military in general. That leaves not a lot left on the table in my opinion. We are a small vault community all willing to help each other no matter which Academy you end up at. Good Luck and Go Air Force beat Navy!
Sorry falconchic88 I had to. I just can't help myself. Already lol
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!! BEAT ARMY! LOL
navy2022VA
Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2017
- Messages
- 147
For those saying there’s no height for blue chip, I asked the usna track coach if I was in the running for a blue chip and she said no because I didn’t meet a certain height in high jump
Did she happen to tell you what the Blue Chip Height is for High Jump? My guess is that would be a highly guarded secret and would change from year to year and event to event depending on what the needs of the team are; also dependant upon the Recruit grades and extra circulars ect. If they think the recruit can get in on their own, I doubt they would use their Blue Chip. From what I understand "most" athletes will never know if they were Blue Chipped or not.
navy2022VA
Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2017
- Messages
- 147
I don’t know the height, she seemed secretive in answering so I didn’t wanna push it by asking the height