Micah Olsen
In his first pole vaulting competition outside of Alaska, Fairbanks’ Micah Olsen reached for the moon.
The rising eighth grader placed runner-up at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in the 13-14-year-old age group, leading a contingent of Alaskans at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
After clearing the first four heights with ease, Olsen skyrocketed over 11 feet, 3.75 inches — a personal best — on his third attempt. He trailed only California’s Kingston Khoury, who was declared the winner after clearing the same height on his first attempt, as neither surpassed the following height.
Olsen, who only began vaulting in the fall of 2022, has already made huge strides, improving by more than two feet since January.
As the newest member of the Alaska Pole Vault Club, Olsen can contribute some of his success to the expertise of David Brannan, the founder of the Salcha Dome — a facility that allows athletes in the interior to perfect their craft year-round.
Brannan, a two-time pole vault state champion in Utah and an All-American pole vaulter while at Brigham Young University, is the current head coach at Eielson High. Within the last few years, he has grown his pole vaulting program exponentially.
Micah Olsen with medal and Alaska flag
What once started as an idea has flourished into high school and collegiate careers, in an event that continues to reemerge among Alaska athletes.
Salcha’s Teslin Brannan and Landen Salley, who hold the Alaska pole vault state bests for prep athletes, also joined Olsen at the competition, competing in the 17-18-year-old division.
Brannan, a rising senior, cleared 9 feet, 11.25 inches on her second attempt to tie for 37th, while Salley, an Eielson graduate, made three attempts at the boys’ opening height.
On the track, Juneau’s Kate Schwarting led the 49th state, competing in two middle-distance events in the 15-16-year-old division. The rising sophomore and ASAA Division I state bronze medalist (800) placed 25th in 1500 (5:09.78) to snag a personal best, in addition to placing 46th in the 800 (2:31.84).
Homer’s Grace Miotke, the Division II state champion (300 hurdles), made her debut in the 400 hurdles. The rising junior placed 50th (1:13.88) in the 15-16-year-old division.
Juneau’s Wilder Dillingham, a rising senior, placed 57th in the 400 (51.68), while Ketchikan’s Jason Lorig — the Division I state champion (100) and rising junior — placed 62nd in the 100 (11.27).