Held at the Reno Livestock Events Center, members of the Cerritos College men's and women's track and field team competed and received instruction at the 2018 National Pole Vault Summit over the weekend. Receiving instruction from coaches such as Stacy Dragila (Olympic Gold, Team USA), April Steiner-Bennett (Olympian, Team USA & Ninja Warrior), Megan Clark (Elite Pole Vaulter) and Kris Mack (Coach, Chula Vista), eight Falcons took part in discussions and training, they also competed in a variety of divisions.
Competing in one of the College Divisions, the Falcons top returning pole vaulter, Andrew Fowler, placed seventh with his height of 4.15 meters, which was the opening height for that group. Taking part in another group, Brian Castillo came in seventh place with his height of 3.85 meters, with teammate Michael Gonzalez clearing 3.30 meters, good for eighth place. The final two Cerritos entries in the summit, Chris Oviedo and Eugene Leduc took third and fourth places, respectively. Oviedo cleared 3.10 meters, with Leduc posting a height of 3.00 meters.
On the women's side, Clarissa Orna turned in a height of 2.55 meters to come in a four-way tie for fifth place. Returner Davina Pham, who didn't compete in the pole vault last season, finished in ninth place in the same group with a height of 2:40 meters, while Adrianna Martinez cleared 2.00 meters. As a freshmen, Martinez qualified for the Southern California Regional Prelims in the pole vault.
The National Pole Vault Summit is a grassroots developmental clinic established and continued to promote safety and encourage the advancement of Pole Vaulting at all levels through constant education. The Summit structure is designed to meet the needs of all ability levels including athlete, coaches, and parent break-out sessions, learn-by-doing instruction and roundtable discussion with the world's best athletes and coaches. Led by National and Regional Staff influenced by National Men's and Women's Pole Vault Developmental chairmen, each year they compile the most experienced and extensive staff to bring a truly unique experience for the attendees.