A.J. Blackburn is in his 7th season as the pole vault coach at Fresno Pacific University. Previously, his coaching experience spanned 20 years at the high school level.
As a vaulter, Blackburn competed for Fresno State, under the direction of the renowned pole vault coach, Bob Fraley. Blackburn has been very successful in developing competitive pole vaulters at the high school, youth national and collegiate level. While the pole vault coach at Clovis East High School, Blackburn’s system produced five Central Section champions in 10 years. The system produced an impressive top marks list for the relatively new high school of eight athletes over 15-0 feet or better, and a school record of 16-0 feet (Mike Peterson, 2009). Peterson also placed second at the 2009 CIF State Championships, in which his points contributed to Clovis East winning a California State Championship team title.
While at FPU, Blackburn’s athletes have re-written the top end of both the men’s and women’s all-time top ten lists in the pole vault. Andrew Morin broke the men’s 42-year old school record in 2018, going 16’7” and garnering honors that include PacWest Conference champion, national qualifier, and top vaulter in the West Region. In 2020 that record was smashed by freshman Keaton Daniel who vaulted 18’ 0.5” indoor to start the season at the Pole Vault Summit in Reno. Daniel went on to jump 17’7 ¼” early in the outdoor season which ranks him #20 on the NCAA Division 2 all-time list. Unfortunately, Daniel’s freshman season was cut short by the Covid 19 pandemic. Since 2017, Blackburn has coached six of the top 10 FPU men vaulters in school history.
On the women’s side, the top two female vaulters in school history are products of Blackburn’s system. Nikki Crouch owns the school record at 12’ 8 ¼, while Kristi Yorke closely follows at the number two spot with a vault of 12’ 8”. Both ladies vaulted more than a foot over the previous school record.
Blackburn is a pole vault specific coach and a former vaulter who understands the nuances of the event. His coaching experience at the high school level has given him an opportunity to create a proven system that develops the athlete from beginner to championship vaulter. He has been a presenter at the National Pole Vault Summit numerous times, as well as various other coaching clinics. His system is based on the Bubka/Petrov model but is tailored to accommodate the individual physical assets and needs of each athlete.
From Blackburn: “We look to continue the development of the athlete by improving technical skill and athleticism through proven training methods, create a positive college experience, and help the athlete achieve their highest human potential. We strive to cultivate the skills and attitudes needed for lifelong success beyond their athletic endeavors.”
