No pole vault pit? No problem for Elmwood-Brimfield’s state champ Mya Strahm

ELMWOOD, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) – Rainy days with practice inside don’t seem to bother Mya Strahm anymore.

Not after what she had to endure last year.

“I tore my hamstring in January. then my first practice back (with the team) I tore my bicep,” said Strahm. “I’ve gotten a lot stronger and fast. I’ve been training hard since I tore my hamstring. And keeping up with the rehab to prevent getting injured again.”

Strahm’s story is amazing. Despite the injuries and missing most of her sophomore season last year, she won the class A Illinois High School Association state pole vault title. This year, she’s healthy and posted on the top five results in the country for high school girls during the indoor season.

It’s making her hungry for more.

“I definitely want to go top five in the US for pole vault outdoor,” said Strahm. “Maybe a state record.”

Strahm only started competing in the pole vault two years ago as a freshman. Ironically, she came to a track and field meeting that first year of high school and told the coaches she was a pole vaulter.

Elmwood High School doesn’t even have a pole vault pit or pole vault equipment. So Strahm goes out of town to train with coach Mike Cockerham of the Flying Dragons Club in Bloomington a couple days a week.

For home meets, she can’t compete in the pole vault. That only comes at meets away from home.

“To see what she’s doing and the way she’s doing it is remarkable,” said Elmwood-Brimfield girls track coach Kyle Anderson. “It doesn’t happen every day. I have to pinch myself. What she has brought to our culture and team is special.”

Strahm hoping this will be a memorable final season of high school track. She plans on graduating from Brimfield High School in December so she can enroll early at the University of Tennessee, where she’ll compete in college.

“I’m excited for that competition and compete with the college girls,” said Strahm. “It just makes this (season) ten times better. I didn’t have a season last year. It’s my final season (in high school). I want a lot this season.”

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