Q: How long have you been participating in track and field?
A: Since I was about 10 years old. I started out competing in little open meets and things like that, but basically my freshman year of high school is when I really got interested in it.
Q: How long have you been pole vaulting?
A: Since I was 13 years old.
Q: Have you ever participated in any other sports besides track and field?
A: Oh, yeah. Just about every sport you can think of.
Q: What do you like most about North Central College?
A: Just the atmosphere of everything, specifically the track and field program. Not only in academics can you get as much attention as you need, but the track and cross country programs have created quite like a dynasty and allows you to communicate well with others. I live with three other pole vaulters on the tea,m and that creates a perfect environment because we all have the same objectives and we all basically have the same major so it's really easy to just communicate.
Q: What is your major?
A: Physical education.
Q: Do you know what you want to do with that major?
A: I want to teach PE. hopefully at the elementary school level.
Q: What has been your favorite class here on campus this far?
A: I would probably say any class with
John Wood because he is very entertaining.
Q: Who is your biggest role model?
A: I would probably say my brother
Jake Winder. He was a PE major and was a pole vaulter at North Central College so I try to follow as close to his footsteps as possible.
Q: What meet are you looking forward to most?
A: Just every single meet is really exciting and I guess I just take it week by week. I don't really look beyond the next weekend.
Q: What gets you really psyched before a meet?
A: Usually really intense, hardcore music. No specific songs just anything that's loud and obnoxious.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
A: I wouldn't really say it's ever been given to me but I read the Bible frequently and so I look to that. It says “Be strong and courageous,” and I think that that is really important no matter what situation I'm going into I need to be as confident as possible to get the job done.
Q: Do you have any goals for this indoor season?
A: Just to stay positive no matter what adversity hits and to be consistent at the higher level heights that I was at last year so, be consistent at around 17 feet.
Q: What's the hardest thing about pole vaulting?
A: I think it's just dealing with the adversity of it. My senior year of high school I dislocated my shoulder and had to get reconstructive surgery and whenever you hit walls like that it's really hard to overcome them. But I just turn to my faith and let that pan out. Anyone who has ever pole vaulted for any amount of time will get injured and it's just a matter of how you deal with the injury and how you can overcome that adversity you get hit with.
Q: What is your most memorable pole vaulting moment?
A: Probably last year at outdoor nationals last year. I hurt my ankle really bad and just having the strength to get on the runway and finish the competition with the help of my faith in God and Him giving me the strength to pull through it.
