ISU brings home the title
The secret to achieving success at pole vaulting is quite simple: be coached by Dave Nielsen. Pole vaulters from around the country are flocking to Idaho State University to be coached by the legendary Nielsen.
Nielsen enters his 28th season as the head track and field coach at Idaho State University this spring. He has coached numerous pole vaulters, most notably Olympic champion and world record holder Stacy Dragila.
Recently Nielsen coached Mike Arnold to a Big Sky Conference title.
Nielsen can now add Caitlin Maulin and Clint Gosack to his list of Big Sky pole vault champions.
Gosack became the sixth straight Bengal to win the men’s pole vault. Gosack tied his career best of 16-07.75 to beat out Montana State’s Jeff Mohl last Saturday.
Maulin also earned the women’s pole vault title at the Big Sky Indoor Championships. Maulin cleared a height of 12-09.50.
Maulin holds the women’s pole vault record at ISU with her record jump of 4.15m
Both Gosack and Maulin acknowledge Nielsen’s legacy and reputation as the key reason they chose Idaho State.
“I came here to vault with Dave because I knew he would be the coach that could make me the best vaulter that I could be,” said Maulin.
Ohio State actually offered Maulin a larger scholarship but she spurned the Big Ten school to come to Idaho State University to learn from Nielsen.
“It was the number one factor in me coming here,” said Maulin.
