VIRGINIA TECH pole vaulter JULIA FIXSEN has developed a knack for hurdling over towering heights. She’s become one of the best collegiate pole vaulters in the country over the past four years, earning All-American status four times. Fixsen’s first big jump came much earlier in her life, however, when she was deciding what to do after stopping gymnastics. “I started out doing gymnastics when I was really young and fell in love with it,” Fixsen said. “I loved doing flips and tricks. I loved challenging myself to get something right and get something perfect. However, I am 5’11” tall, so for gymnasts that’s a little abnormal and it ended up not working in my favor, of course.” After doing gymnastics for about seven years, Fixsen searched for another sport where she could utilize her athletics gifts—that’s when she found pole vaulting. “After [gymnastics] I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Fixsen said. “I had so much skill and so much love for the sport. I wasn’t really interested in doing anything else. Then one of my neighbors who was also a gymnast and got me into gymnastics said she was doing track and she wanted to do pole vault. I initially was like ‘I’m not doing that. That sounds stupid. Like you have to wear a helmet. That doesn’t sound fun.’ But she dragged me into it and ever since the first day I fell in love because it’s very similar to gymnastics and it came really natural for me.” Fixsen’s college career didn’t start at Virginia Tech, however. The talented pole vaulter spent two seasons at Georgia before transferring after a head coaching change. The new head coach wanted to put more of an emphasis on sprinting and hurdling rather than a multi-event team, leading to Fixsen’s decision to transfer. When it was time to look for a new school, Virginia Tech quickly caught her attention because of the high-caliber pole vaulters and wellrespected coaches in the program. “Bob Phillips, the pole vaulting coach here at Tech, is very wellknown in the NCAA for pole vault coaches,” Fixsen said. “He’s just very experienced. A lot of people know who he is and he’s had a lot of success throughout the years and I just heard so many good things about him. I also knew Rachel Baxter and Deakin Volz, so I figured since I know those people, I feel like I can trust the program. It just felt like the best fit for me, in all regards.” Fixsen, Baxter and Volz have all earned All-American status multiple times at Virginia Tech, speaking to the strength of VT’s pole vaulting room. The performances that the three, among others, have put together on a national stage have helped Tech become one of the top destinations for pole vaulters in the nation. “I think Rachel has really helped with that momentum, same with Deakin,” Fixsen said. “I’m sure other vaulters came before Bob and attracted him to Virginia Tech, but those two come to mind as being kind of the trailblazers and have created a legacy for great vaulters to come on as well as Kenna Stimmel coming on to the team this year and Journey Gurley. We’re starting to attract really, really good pole vaulters and that’s all to do with Bob.” With talented upperclassmen like Fixsen setting an elite standard, in combination with high-end recruits coming in, Virginia Tech’s pole vaulting room is developing a special culture. 18 Inside Hokie Sports Continued on page 20
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