Coaches

Nick has been coaching at Olympus Vault Academy, formerly Xtreme Athletics, since August 2018. Nick was a successful high school vaulter in the state of Kansas where he was a two-time state champion in the pole vault and a state champion in the 4×100 relay. He currently holds the number five all-time Kansas high school pole vault record position at 16’8 and sits one inch under Doug Lytle who is number four at 16’9. Nick continued his vault career at the University of Kansas where he became a two-time All-American Outdoors and holds an overall record of 5.50 meters / 18’0.5”. Nick is continuing to train as a professional vaulter while coaching at Olympus and hopes to make an Olympic or National Team for USA. Nick competed for Bishop Carroll in Wichita, KS but came to train at the gym several times throughout his high school career and credits Coach JJ with helping take his vaulting to another level while in high school. Nick Graduated with an Exercise Science degree from Kansas University and is currently studying to become a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He currently oversees the strength development of the athletes at Olympus Vault Academy. He loves to share his knowledge with the next generation of athletes.

Contact:

Phone: 620-491-3031

Email: [email protected]

JJ grew up teaching himself how to pole vault with his brothers in their backyard using anything and everything they could to launch themselves over various barriers. JJ was a successful vaulter in high school and holds a personal record of 14’6. He later went on to play volleyball in college. He now works as an electrician in the Kansas City area and has been a coach at Olympus, formerly Xtreme Athletics, for over 10 years. He has consistently proven himself as one of the area’s best high school vault coaches. He likes to break down the vault for athletes and have them focus on the fundamentals until they are ready to work on the next aspect of their vault. JJ has coached numerous state champions, dozens of state medalists, an abundance of state finalists, and many more vaulters. JJ loves to give back to the sport of track and field and enjoys working with athletes of various skill levels to push athletes to reach their full potential in the sport of pole vault.

Contact:

Phone: 913-271-6805
Email: [email protected]

Adam joined our gym as a 10’6” vaulter in 2011. Without having a program at his high school, St. James Academy, Adam trained solely at our gym, rented poles, and was fully independent for a majority of meets. Coach JJ Lawler trained Adam to be self-sufficient at meets, which was one of the most important factors in his success. With consistent vault practice and strength training, Adam improved his PR by 5 feet over the next 2 years. His senior year, both indoor and outdoor, Adam vaulted 15’6”. Across all classes his 15’6” vaults ranked 2nd in the state for the 2013 season and secured a podium finish at the state as a runner-up to Nick Meyer.

After accepting a full tuition athletic scholarship to Drake University in Des Moines, IA, Adam continued his career as a Division 1 vaulter for the next 4 years. Although his vaulting progress was limited due to injury, Adam had the opportunity to work extensively with Decathletes, training them for pole vault. Obtaining degrees in Entrepreneurial Management and Marketing with a Finance Concentration, Adam now operates a wealth management office in Kansas City.
In 2021 Adam was asked to join our coaching staff. He loves working with vaulters of all skill levels and puts an emphasis on teaching athletes how to be independent and confident for the times they may be on their own at a meet.

Contact

Phone: 913-284-1694
Email: [email protected]

A former high school vaulter at our gym, Jake grew up in Bucyrus, KS. Beginning his athletic domination as a baseball player, Jake had a 1.000 batting average in the 11 and under Cal Ripken League Regional Tournament in 2003. As his baseball success went downhill Jake began to excel in other sports, including basketball and track and field, for Louisburg High School. During his Junior and Senior year, Jake consistently trained with our gym, formerly Xtreme Athletics.

After finishing his high school career in 2012 with a personal best of 15’6” Jake walked on to the University of Kansas team. Soaking up as much knowledge from Coach Tom Hays as he could, Jake became a second-team All-American in 3 seasons, captured a Big XII Championship title, and improved his high school mark by nearly 3 feet to 5.60 meters(18’4.5”). Jake is excited to work with young coachable athletes and will be happy to compete alongside them when possible. Challenges to competition are encouraged.

Contact:
Phone: 913-674-1247
Email: [email protected]

Brittany graduated from Lee’s Summit West High School where she was a 3-sport varsity athlete in Swimming, Gymnastics and Track & Field. She was a 2-time state champion in the pole vault and high jump and 2-time all-state 100m hurdler.  Her senior season she broke the Missouri Class 4 state record and overall state record in the pole vault with a jump of 12′-10″, and her mark of 5′-8″ in the high jump was 2nd all time for the state (in 2012). Brittany went to college at the University of Central Missouri, where she competed in the multi events, hurdles, high jump and pole vault.  She was a 5 time All-American and D2 National Champion in the pole vault, and a 2-time D2 National qualifier and 2nd team All-American in the high jump. Brittany was also a part of the 2015 indoor and outdoor national championship team. In 2022, she was inducted into the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame. Brittany’s final PRs were 13′-6″ in the pole vault and 5′-8″ in the high jump. She graduated with a double major in Design & Drafting Technology and Engineering Technology and currently works as a Mechanical Engineer Technician at Black & Veatch.  Brittany has been coaching track & field for over 10 years, mainly doing private lessons in the multi events, hurdles and high jump.  She has coached many all-state athletes, state champions, and athletes that have gone on to compete in college. Brittany is excited to help more jumpers meet their new PRs and goals.

Contact: (816) 721-4935

Decathlon – University of Central Missouri