A STUDENT is proving to be a high-flier as he strives to qualify for the pole vaulting World Championships.
Darlington College business student Thomas Hill is already a bronze medal winner at the prestigious English School Games, a mini-Olympics which attracts athletes from all over the country.
The U20s World Championships are due to be held in Oregon, America, in August. To qualify he must vault 5m 20cm.
“My personal best is 4m 63cm but the qualifying height is doable,” said the 18-year-old second year L3 extended diploma student.
“I’ve been competing indoors and it was going well until I pulled my hamstring in training. But I should be back at it in a few weeks.”
Thomas, of Darlington, has been competing in athletics for the past ten years, in 100m, 200m, 800m, long and high jump and javelin. Someone he trained with persuaded him to attend a pole vaulting camp.
“It was weird at first but once I found my footing I really enjoyed it – it was like flying,” said Thomas, who is in the England Youth Talent Programme.
“My coach said I had potential because of my speed and strength and I’ve been pole vaulting for the past five years. I attend three England training camps a year and it is great being with the best vaulters in the country. When you are with the people you will be competing against there is incentive to be better than them.”
Thomas now trains with coach Chris Boundy, at Gateshead Harriers. “He was a pole vaulter when he was younger and is a really good coach,” said Thomas, who is a Darlington Harrier and trains six days a week. “My hope is to compete in the Olympics in either 2028 or 2032 where I would love to medal.”
Poles costs around £1,000 each, Thomas has eight of them and he is always looking for sponsors.
Thomas is also enjoying his studies. “I would like to have my own business one day, I’m just working out what that would be,” he said. “The Darlington College course is helping me shape what working for myself would look like. Having a qualification opens a lot more doors.”
For more details of opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.