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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Pole vaulter Devin King qualifies for Olympic Trials

    The Lion’s Roar / Kelonda Dixon
    Sophomore pole vaulter Devin King remained undefeated in the outdoor season with his fifth straight victory at the LSU Alumni Gold. King cleared 18 feet, 1.75 inches. This was King’s third time this season clearing 18 feet. 

    Sophomore Devin King is a 20-year-old Kentwood, Louisiana native and a graphic design major. He serves as a pole vaulter on the track and field team for the university. He has won many honors and broken many records. In his freshman year, he was named 2015 LSWA All-Louisiana Freshman of the Year and recently, he broke the Lions’ outdoor and overall pole vault record by clearing a winning 18-8.25, which qualified him for the USA Track & Field (USATF) Olympic Trials.

     

    The Lion’s Roar: Tell me a little bit about your family. What do they mean to you and how do they influence you?

    Devin King: I have two parents Lloyd and Nicole and two sisters along with four brothers. From oldest to youngest: Christina, Amber, John, Caleb, Tristen and L.J. My family means everything to me and they have one of the biggest influences on my life. Maybe that’s why I am so competitive because of all my siblings. 

     

    TLR: What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies? 

    DK: In my free time, I enjoy anything from drawing or painting, hunting or fishing, skating and gaming. I enjoy almost everything. 

     

    TLR: What are some of the things you have accomplished this season?

    DK: This season, I’ve broken the school indoor record three times and outdoor four times. I’ve still got some left. I also vaulted 18 feet (8.5 inches) to qualify for the Olympic Trials in July for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August. I placed third at the national NCAA indoor track and field meet. I’m looking forward to redeeming myself at the national outdoor meet. 

     

    TLR: What do you think helped you get to this point in your athletic career?

    DK: Growing up, I’ve always been in some form of sport every year. I played basketball when I was like eight, then T-ball and also football. Baseball was my favorite, so I played it all the way up to high school and quit to start pole vaulting my freshman year. Then pole vault took off, but the point is I think while doing all these other sports it helped me gain bits and pieces of athleticism to help me in the vault. Athleticism can only take you so far. The determination to make it to the Olympics started when I was a sophomore in high school when I realized I had a shot. I watched these videos on YouTube and watched these big time pole vaulters just soar, and I wanted to be just like them. I actually had an opportunity my junior year to meet these guys at a Pole Vault Summit in Nevada and that just fueled the fire inside of me. Now I have a one-way ticket to the trials and I’m going to give it my all to conquer this dream. 

     

    TLR: How do you feel about qualifying?

    DK: I feel amazing. Everything I’ve worked so long for and prayed hard for is now paying off and showing.  It’s just time to play with the big boys and show up, compete and take advantage of this opportunity.

     

     TLR: Did you ever see yourself going as far as the Olympic trials? Why or why not?

    DK: Yes. I have always seen myself going this far and even further. Like I said, it’s my dream to go to the Olympics and get the opportunity to represent little ole Kentwood. 

     

    TLR: What do you hope to accomplish as the rest of the season unfolds?

    DK: I plan to show up at NCAA nationals outdoor and place, conquer the Southland Conference outdoor meet and also to make the Olympic team. 

     

    TLR: How did you get into pole vaulting?

    DK: I started pole vaulting for fun in seventh grade. Freshmen year, I got serious and started to train at a place called Bartolina Athletics which was run by Erica Fraley, an ex-Olympian in ‘08. Since then, I’ve just always enjoyed pole vaulting. 

     

    TLR: Who inspires you to be a better athlete? 

    DK: My ex-coach Erica because she went to the Olympics and would tell me stories. I figured I’d go myself. Also my teammate Alex Young because he and I always are either right behind or ahead of each other in these events. He is also going to the Olympic trials in the Hammer throw, which is pretty cool to have a teammate at the trials. Also the other pole vaulters across the nation because they challenge me to stay on top. 

     

    TLR: Do you have any goals set for yourself athletically and academically? If so, what are they?

    DK: Athletically just the Olympics and become one of the greats in pole vault. Academically, I just want to graduate with a graphic design major and to maintain a good GPA.

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