Pole vaulter Kelsie Ahbe fills role of leader, record setter

Humility is not commonly found in high-profile athletes, but junior pole vaulter Kelsie Ahbe contradicts that notion.

Ahbe recently broke the indoor school record in the pole vault, previously set by alumna Vera Neuenswander.

Setting the record at a height of 4.21 meters, Ahbe said her relationship with Neuenswander was a significant factor in the process.

“I think it’s cool that Vera was my training partner,” Ahbe said. “She’s a lot of the reason that I’ve been able to do a lot of the things I’ve done so far.”

Neuenswander’s record stood at 4.20 meters. Neuenswander encouraged Ahbe to take her school record in the pole vault.

“She actually said to me in the beginning of the season, ‘Kelsie, this is enough. It’s time for my school record to go down,’” Ahbe said. “She wanted me to have the record.”

Ahbe said she has always been confident. As a teenager, she was convinced she would be a successful Big Ten athlete.

“As a 17 year old, I would have said, ‘Yes, indeed, I will have the school record and Big Ten record,’” Ahbe said. “‘I’ll be a Big Ten champion.’”

Now that she has captured the school record, Ahbe’s focus will not wane, but she said she does feel as if it’s her responsibility to play the role of leader.

The Hoosiers have four freshman pole vaulters this season, so it is up to Ahbe to take them under her wing.

“I think being a leader is definitely my role now,” Ahbe said. “I think I’m a leader on this team. It’s something that I embrace, and I think it’s fun.”

Ahbe’s leadership traits are on display and pertain to doing the little things right. She was even spotted picking up trash after a meet a few weeks ago.

“I think we owe that because of the opportunity we’ve been given,” Ahbe said. “There are a lot of people who would give anything to be a Division I athlete, and I feel really blessed that I’m here.”

Regardless of what Ahbe accomplishes during the time she has remaining, she said she knows how blessed she is.

IU Coach Ron Helmer said he is glad to have a person such as Ahbe on his squad.

“She’s being exactly who we want her to be,” Helmer said. “She’s setting herself up,
so that, going forward, as the athlete that she is, the person who she is won’t change.”