Indoor Track Nationals

Story by Theodore Frid

The University of Sioux Falls sent five track athletes to the 2016 Indoor National Championships In Pittsburg, Kansas. Head Coach Reid Ehrisman walked away from the meet with two All-American USF athletes, Sophie Harano and Jake Zebedee.

“My gymnastics coach told me about pole vaulting and I tried it my freshman year of high school and I loved it,” said Sophie Harano.

This was Harano’s second time at a national meet for track. “Since it was my last indoor meet ever I really wanted to go in with a lot of confidence and not be afraid,” said Harano.

The senior vaulter finished her indoor season with a personal record jump of 12 feet 10 inches and placing fourth at the meet. “She did surprise me,” said Head Coach Ehrisman.

Senior Pole Vaulter, Jake Zebedee, was a first timer at nationals.

“It was exciting to see him in that moment that he had never been in,” said Coach Ehrisman. “The competition started and I went over the first bar by quite aways,” said Jake.

The USF vaulter acted as if there was no pressure at all. “It was like he’d been there before,” said Ehrisman about Jake.

Like Harano, Jake also hit a personal record. He cleared 16 feet 4 inches giving him a sixth place finish at the meet.

Both vaulters were speechless after their performances. “I just felt that it was a dream and I was waiting to wake up,” said Jake.

“The sport has just taken me a lot of places in life,” said Harano.

Both athletes were very grateful to have the opportunity to compete at a national level. “Just to great young christian people that deserve it,” said head Coach Ehrisman.