Aspen Moolenaar's Record-Breaking 11-Foot Vault? She Did It With The Wrong Pole, And The College Game Is Not Ready

Let's talk about pure grit. We just got word that Pioneer High phenom Aspen Moolenaar is taking her track and field talents to Franklin College, an NCAA Division III powerhouse, and she officially inked that deal last month. This isn't just another signing; this is a future star who is fired up, telling everyone, "I’m really excited. I feel like the coaches are just really motivating and see a lot of potential in me." This kid has serious potential.

A Pole Vault Shocker Nobody Saw Coming

Moolenaar hit the Lafayette Jeff Regional on May 26, one of the toughest in the state, and let's be real, it didn't go as planned. She finished 10th in the pole vault, clearing 10 feet, 3 inches, and snagged 14th in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 48.88 seconds. You could hear the frustration, and who wouldn't be? "It definitely didn’t go how I wanted because every year I’ve been trying so hard to go to state and just knowing I couldn’t do that, it was kind of upsetting," she said. But here's the kicker, the jaw-dropping detail that changes everything: turns out, an EQUIPMENT ISSUE might have held her back all season! She literally needed a new pole. "Being at a small school, we’re limited in poles. It was like last minute when we realized that, so we didn’t really have time," she admitted. She was still hitting 10-6 multiple times this season, even with the wrong gear. Imagine what she could've done!

Record Breaker Heads to a DIII Power

Even with that setback, Moolenaar's resume is absolutely stacked. She's a Pioneer record holder in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, pole vault, and the 4x100 relay. At the Cass County Track Meet in May, she crushed it, taking titles in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump, and pole vault, earning the Fred Kinder Star of Stars award. Last year, she cleared a school record 11 feet in the pole vault, runner-up at the Kokomo Sectional. That 11-foot height, even this year with her equipment issues, would have put her 13th at the State Finals! Franklin College isn't messing around either; they consistently pump out All-Americans and conference champions in Division III. Moolenaar plans to focus on pole vault but will also jump into hurdles and sprints. She's ready to soak it all in, saying, "I think college will definitely help me improve a lot with different coaches and it’s just in a completely different environment." She's not just an athlete; a Distinguished Scholar, graduating eighth in her class with a 3.85 GPA, planning to major in nursing. She's the real deal! So, what are we looking forward to? Before she even steps on campus, Moolenaar is set to be a featured star at the Pharos-Tribune Sports Awards show on June 30, nominated for Volleyball Athlete of the Year, Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year, and Girls Athlete of the Year. It's clear she's got that champion fire. With her talent, that insane 11-foot record with *subpar equipment*, and a fresh start at Franklin, the sky is the limit. Get ready, college track, Aspen Moolenaar is coming for you!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.