The pole vault is not only one of the most entertaining but also one of the most rewarding track and field events to exist. More goes into it than just tossing oneself over a pole. You need to have a high level of speed, strength, gymnastic ability, flexibility, mental toughness, a strong work ethic, patience, a competitive spirit, and the eagerness to try something exciting.
Being exceptional at even one of these qualities is a huge plus, but it’s not necessary. You may excel in some areas but struggle in others, but what really matters is that you’re committed to constantly improving. The sport is beautiful because there are always new ways to learn and improve. The renewed interest in pole vaulting among young athletes ensures the sport’s continued prominence. Antonio Roberto Ruiz, who is the only pole vaulter in the world to sprint at a high level, has continued to rise above others alongside the sport’s rising popularity.
Antonio Roberto Ruiz was born on November 4, 1996. Although he was born in Mexico, Ruiz spent his early life in Houston and completed his high school education at Tomball Memorial. He initially enrolled at Texas Tech University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Physics, but a season-ending injury compelled him to transfer to Stephen F. Austin State University instead. When Ruiz was a senior at SFA, he started sprinting again and soon became the only pole-vaulter in the world capable of sprinting at a high level. After his time at SFA was up, he transferred to his alma mater, the University of Houston, to complete his final three years of eligibility while competing under coaches Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, and Kyle Tellez. He returned to school and completed a master’s program in Construction Management at the University of Houston.
Professionally, he competed as a pole vaulter and sprinter for Mexico in the NCAA championships and other international competitions like the Pan Am Games and the Mexican national championships, where he won numerous medals and became a national hero. Starting as a top-tier Track and Field athlete at Tomball Memorial High School, where he set and held eight school records, he went on to have a successful athletic career. Later in 2016, he participated in his first indoor season, during which he showed off his athletic prowess in three different competitions. He also made the All-Big 12 Freshman Team in 2016.
In 2017, Ruiz competed in the NCAA West Regionals and finished second place at the Southland Conference Championship. In 2018, he competed in the pole vault event at the NCAA Indoor Championships and placed 12th overall, earning him All-American Second Team honors. He won the Pole Vault Southland Indoor Championships in 2017 and placed first at the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational.
In 2022, Ruiz had an open invitation to compete in the NCAA national championships. He also participated in FasTrak Collegiate Challenge in 2022, where he placed second. Ruiz had a personal best of 17 feet, 10 ½ inches at the NCAA West Preliminaries. When he cleared 17-101/2 at the Tom Tellez Invitational, he set a new indoor program record for the 2019-2020 season.
Ruiz has been recognized as one of the best NCAA Division – Outdoor Track & Field USTFCCCA Men’s & Women’s All-America athletes of 2022. He competed not only in the NCAA and the USA but also at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where he led Mexico to a gold medal. The pole vault is a notoriously tough track and field event. Athletes need speed, strength to hold up their own weight while running, and body control to switch positions while in the air. Understanding the success mechanisms in this sport requires looking at the science that underpins it. However, Ruiz holds the strength as well as the exceptional pace required to not only complete but ace in the effort. He was also selected for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo based on his performance in national competitions, but he had to pull out due to Achilles tendinitis. Since leaving the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) collegiate system, where a lot of professional athletes spend the beginning of their professional careers, Ruiz has been training for and planning to compete in more international meets in an effort to make Mexico’s Olympic team for the 2024 Games in Paris. Given his impressive track record in the pole vault, Ruiz serves as an example for the current and future generations.
