Parker Owens 

Glenpool High School

There are a number of opportunities to compete in high school sports for student-athlete today. For a select few who compete in track and field, the pole vault is one most athletes look at and decide it’s simply not for them. It just impossible and difficult. But for those athletes who study it and practice it, the pole vault is a great event that dates back to the mid-1800s as a legitimate competition. Glenpool High School’s Parker Owens is adding his name to the list of pole vaulters in Oklahoma. 

“I have jumped in track since 7th grade, and I am only competing in Pole Vault this year,” said Owens. 

Well-known area pole vault coach and Olympic bronze medalist Joe Dial is a big reason Owens could find his way to the podium this season. 

“My pole vault coach Joe Dial has been a very big inspiration but one of the most inspiring people to me is Brandon Burlsworth,” said Owens. 

As a student-athlete, Owens said it’s more like a big family at GHS. 

“What I love most about going to Glenpool is that the coaches are very understanding and everyone I go to school with are like family to me,” said Owens. 

Away from the track, Owens enjoys competing in archery and e-Sports. He also enjoys playing golf, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and playing video games. Owens said he would like to compete in college once his high school days come to an end. 

“After I graduate high school, I would like to vault in college and get a degree in either electrical or mechanical engineering,” said Owens. As for his teammates, Owens said Colton Martin is one of the toughest guys on the team and fellow pole vaulter Cruze Holsey knows how to crack a good joke.