
Courtesy of UCSB Department of Athletics
For most of us, the thought of running full speed with a pole, planting it into the ground and launching ourselves into the air seems more like an act of daredevilry than an athletic pursuit. But for UC Santa Barbara fourth-year philosophy major and record-breaking pole vaulter Eitan Goore, it’s all part of the thrill — a testament to years of dedication, discipline and passion.
Big West Challenge Cup champion and winner of the Mark Conover Classic in pole vault are just a few of the incredible achievements from Goore in the 2024 season.
Goore’s journey to becoming one of UCSB’s top athletes didn’t start with grand ambitions. In middle school, he was just running for his track team. His introduction to pole vaulting came in high school, when he shadowed a schoolmate who was already in the sport.
“One random day in November, I decided to give it a shot,” Goore said.
What began as a casual experiment quickly evolved into a passion. As the years went by, he honed his skills and eventually became the go-to mentor for younger teammates, solidifying his role as a leader both on and off the field.
Pole vaulting is a sport that requires time to master.
“It takes time,” Goore said. “You start low, maybe two feet, and build from there. The more confidence you have, the better you’ll be.”
That confidence, combined with his focus on mastering the technical aspects of the sport, helped Goore steadily improve.
By his junior year of high school, Goore realized he could take pole vaulting to the collegiate level. He began emailing coaches and eventually found himself at UCSB, where he’s thrived in an environment that provided support for both his athletic and academic ambitions.
“For physical support, our trainer is super supportive and will give you any sort of physical advice whenever you need,” he said.
As a philosophy major, Goore has managed to balance a demanding academic workload with the busy training programme required of a Division I athlete.
“On the academic front, we have support on picking out classes that will be beneficial to us in our major … there is always someone to help — whether it’s with physical advice or choosing classes to fit around my training schedule.”
The training itself is no small feat. Pole vaulting demands a full-body workout, with countless hours spent perfecting form and staying fit enough to endure multiple jumps.
“It’s a technical sport,” Goore said. “Everything happens in such a short amount of time. The only way to get better is just getting in asmany jumps as possible and then at one point it will click.”
And then there are the challenges, like the annual hamstring pulls that Goore has come to expect. But through consistent physical therapy and a commitment to growth, he’s continued to improve.
Goore’s hard work paid off in a big way during his sophomore and junior years at UCSB. He tied the school’s pole vault record as a sophomore and went on to break his own record three times as a junior.
“It was a great feeling, but I know I can do better,” he said.
His personal record now stands at an impressive 5.50 meters (about 18 feet), a milestone that cements him as a serious contender on the collegiate stage.
One of his favorite memories came during a conference meet at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he set his current record. As his first meet back returning from an injury, Goore beat his personal best which, at the time, stood at 5.40 meters.
“My friends and teammates were there,” he said. “It was such a great moment.”
When asked what his favorite part of pole vaulting is, he answered with a laugh.
“Falling is my favorite part, especially when you know you’ve made the bar.”
Looking ahead, Goore has set his sights on ambitious goals for the future.
“I want to qualify for regionals, make it to nationals and hopefully get on the podium,” he said.
Beyond college, he dreams of competing at the world trials and perhaps even the World Athletics Championships. If his track record is any indication, Goore is well on his way to turning those dreams into reality.
When he’s not vaulting, Goore channels his love of adrenaline into other pursuits, like skiing, mountain biking and cliff jumping.
“Hiking is a little too slow for me,” he said. “To be able to do what pole vaulters do, you have to be a little crazy in the head!”
With his talent, work ethic and unwavering determination, Goore aims to push his limits and achieve even greater success. The Daily Nexus looks forward to following his progress in the upcoming season.
“It’s going to be a good year,” Goore said.
A version of this article appeared in the Jan. 30 print edition of the Daily Nexus.