Depending on the season, Mitchell Valli may keep himself busy with fishing, boating, hunting and also playing different sports differing from basketball, ice hockey and baseball, but those activities don’t come close to the dedication and commitment Valli has for pole vaulting.
He says he has always been around pole vaulting ever since he was five.
Paul Herda, Vallis step father and former pole vaulter at Albany High School and coach for St Johns College and Delano High School. “We have a very good relationship, but when it comes to vaulting we keep it strictly business” said Valli.
Although Valli attended Buffalo High School, which is different conferences from Delano, Herda has helped with Vallis vaulting ever since the summer before freshman year.
“My sophomore year my personal record was 13ft 6inches, my senior year I jumped 15 ft 7.5 inches at state, setting a new all time record at state, meet record as well as winning the state title. Now as a sophomore in college my personal best is 17ft 1in.” Said Valli.
“ I’ve had to give up many things throughout the years of me pole vaulting, I don’t get to spend a lot of time with friends, because I have practice 4 times a week as well as meets almost every weekend.” Said Valli.
“ I will be attending Minnesota State University of Mankato to pursue a degree in aviation, and I will also be pole vaulting for Minnesota State University of Mankato (MSUM) next year as well I am already seeded in Division 2 as number 4 in the country.” But personally I would like to be at 18” between 18”6’ by my junior year and at 19” by the time I’m done with my vaulting career.
