Pole Vaulter David Adams '26 jumps in record books before Heps

In front of the floor in the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center of the Brown University, the launchers, the runners sprint and the jumpers set off on their jumps. Dartmouth Pole Vaulter David Adams '26 got into the history books of the program five meters and 20 centimeters above the ground. With a 5.2-meter vault at the Brown Invitational this Saturday, Adams broke the program record 5.18 meters-which he had set up in 2023.

“I switched off my brain a little, familiar my instincts and jumped,” said Adams. “When I fell, I realized [the crossbar] Was still up there and yes – it was super solving. “

The relief could have been the overwhelming feeling for Adams – who said that he had “waited for a minute for this bar” – but the moment was proud and awe for his teammates and coaches.

“It was picturesque,” said Pole Vaulter Madeline Kaufman '28. “I warmed up for my competition and see Dave 17 feet in the air. … I couldn't see what the size was, but I was just super excited. “

Amanda Kulas, head coach of jumps and pole vault, gave up the historical leap of Adams' progress last year and added that she knew that he could break the record before he even took off.

“His approach was eight left, and on his second left side I said: 'Oh, he has it,” said Kulas. “We both were only somehow at that moment:” Oh my god, that just happened. “

While it appeared like an image-perpathe jump to the sides on the side lines, Adams said that it was actually “not a very clean vault” and even needed adjustments with split-seconds to deduct.

“I plant[ed] [the pole] On my face and I started too far, ”said Adams. “But I have exercised a lot of top arm, the survey I wanted to be the other way around and went for it. You don't have to be perfect, but you have to be able to adapt. “

The adaptability that Adams has shown comes from years of experience and committed coaching from Kulas. The coach is in Dartmouth in her first year after spending three years with the Bowdoin athlete trainer trainer. She did not make this transition alone: ​​the athletics teame team experienced great sales last year. While the changes in employees are never easy, Kulas and the rest of the team have seamlessly adapted to the new environment.

“It was a really simple transition,” said Kulas. “Everyone is really bought into the goals. We set big goals, but we also take care of each other and I always say: “Love, trust and respect build my coaching foundations”, and I think it went really well. “

The athletes have noticed that the bond that the trainers have – and saw how they translated on the route. According to the team members, the new coaching team has installed the program new life, from support from the exercises to cheering at meetings.

“The group of them works together so well – they are all the best friends,” said Kaufman. “But you know how we lock ourselves and help each other to get everyone we have to do to get ready.”

For Adams, Kulas and the staff were particularly crucial to help him recover from a hip injury that brought him out his whole second year.

“I love her,” said Adams. “They bring good energy on the route when we are in there, and [Coach Kulas] Was very helpful in everything – especially with the injury and trying to get what I need to be successful. ”

Adam's injury forced Adam to play a different role in the team, one that included much more coaching and advice. His recovery in the past two years, which culminates in his latest recording, is a sign of his hard work and passion – an inspiration for his teammates of his Pole Vaulters.

“When he works so hard in his physiotherapy and still appears last year to practice – it was simply very exciting to see that everything came together for someone who works so hard and loves sport so much,” said Pole Vaulter Ellison Weiner '27.

Weiner's feelings were reproduced by Kaufman, who attributed a significant part of their growth through their freshmen season to their teammates.

“I get so much insight into the team and especially Dave,” said Kaufman. “He loves to train and help, and I take his advice as if he were my coach because he knows so much about Pole Vault.”

For Sam Starrs '26, who entered Dartmouth alongside Adams and is the only other male Pole Vaulter in the team – Adams is not just a trainer, but a “brother”. He added that the relationship is one in which they build each other.

“After we both committed ourselves to Dartmouth in our final year of the high school, I would PR and he PR and we always had off, so we had a competitive dynamic before we arrived here,” said STARRS. “As soon as we arrived here, he started with his rod caves and we do pretty much the entire training together, which is super fun and special.”

Together with the physical recovery of his hip injury, Adams also had to regain his mental self -confidence. In a sport where you jump into the air with a pole, mental strength can be as important as physical fitness. Kulas and the staff are hard work during training and meet to establish a calm way of thinking of the game.

“Something that I say very much about Dave is” exciting, not excited, “said Kulas.” Keep everything cool and collected, but also exciting. “Something that we did in the middle of the middle [the indoor season] wrote a positive confirmation – how “I am strong and confident” – and what your process goal is. When you go on Saturday, you know the things you should remember. “

The Brown Invitational was perhaps the last event of the regular season, but more competition was expected. This weekend the Big Green travels to the Cornell University for the Heptagonal Indoor Echtleight Athletics Championships of the Ivy League. While there are important goals and expectations for the team-especially for Adams, which forwards the dynamics of a record-compatible jump-the team focuses more on the process than on the results. Athletes and coaching teams go into the high -pressure environment as they would do everyone else.

“It's just another meeting,” said Kulas. “My goal was that you felt really good on this championship weekend and that we are healthy and happy there, and we did a great job.”