Scott, Langley Helping Revive Pole Vault at OSU

Blake Scott went into the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships ranked 24th out of 24, but when he went to Oregon to compete, last place was the farthest thing from his mind.

Scott advanced from the West Regional after clearing 5.15m/16-10.75 and finishing in ninth place.

When Scott got back to Stillwater and started to think about the national championships, he sat down with pole vault coach Josh Langley to discuss their plan.

The pair needed to choose which poles to use in Eugene, Oregon. They could continue using their current poles or try to jump higher with longer poles.

"Blake came to me before the national meet, and he said 'I don't want to go there to finish last place, I want to (finish top eight),'" Langley said. "Let's swing for the fences. As Coach Holder says, 'Don't lay up.' That was pretty cool to see him just go for it."

Langley and Scott had one problem: Oklahoma State didn't own the pole size Scott wanted to use.

Langley needed to call around to see if someone had the poles and would let Scott borrow them.

Langley knew exactly who to call: Joe Dial. Dial is the head coach at Oral Roberts, but was a pole vaulter in the mid-1980s at OSU.

Dial is one of the most accomplished athletes to come through OSU. He was a four-time NCAA champion in the pole vault and won eight Big 8 pole vault titles in his time at OSU.

Dial's success was worldwide as well. Dial became a world-record holder in 1986, and he was the American pole vault record holder from 1985-94. Dial won the pole vault at the 1989 World Championships.

Langley gave Dial a call and asked to see if the bigger poles. Dial checked his inventory and the former Cowboy had poles available for the current Cowboy.

Dial said lending Scott his pole was no problem at all.

"There wasn't even a second thought," Dial said. "The pole vaulting community is funny because everyone is rooting for everyone even though everyone is competing. You will very seldom find someone who won't lend you a pole."

Dial said that Langley repaid the favor and OSU was able to give Dial a pole for this weekend's West Regional.

Dial said the practice was also common when he was jumping.

"Greg Duplantis broke my high school record three times on my poles," Dial said.

Dial's connections to OSU also stem back to his high school days.

Gary Boxley is a volunteer assistant coach with the pole vaulters. Boxley was the head coach of Dial's high school team during Dial's senior year.

Boxley came in as a volunteer assistant four years ago. He said the sprints coach at the time, Diego Flaquer, was in charge of multi athletes and needed help coaching the pole vault.

"I walked up to practice and a few kids were jumping, and Diego left," Boxley said. "I said 'Where are you going?' He said, "You got them." and that was it."

Boxley has been a great help to the pole vault program at OSU. He helped Scott again qualify for regionals and helped both Elissa White and Allie Stern set the OSU record in the pole vault.

He has also worked with the emerging group of multi athletes in the event.

Boxley said working with Scott has been a joy. He said that Scott has an ability that is tough to teach.

"He has very natural instincts," Boxley said. "He knows where he is at all times and he corrects some of the mistakes he makes. He has everything a good pole vaulter needs.

"He is an 18-footer waiting to happen."

Langley also said Scott has talent unlike any he has seen before.

"Physically, maybe he's not the most intimidating figure when he comes down the runway," Langley said. "In the big meets, I know what he's going to give me. I know what to expect, and that erases any of the small meet difficulties."

Scott went on to finish as a second team All-American in Eugene, Oregon, a feat that the Cowboys waited a while for.

He was the first Cowboy to receive All-American honors in about 30 years with massive help from the man who last did it, Dial.

After the meet, Dial tracked Scott down and insisted the two take a photo.

"That moment was really cool to see," Langley said. "The passion Joe (Dial) has for this place came through in that moment. That was before Blake (Scott) became a national-level guy, but he insisted on trying to help out in any way he could."

Blake Scott and Joe Dial at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships

Scott's breakout performance was one of the first signs of the future at OSU. The future of OSU pole vaulting is bright.

Scott said he is excited about what is to come from OSU pole vaulters.

"It might take a little bit, but I know our program is headed in the right direction," Scott said.

Langley said Scott has also helped pole vaulting grow at OSU for the multi athletes. He also said the women's pole vaulters have taken massive strides toward success.

Boxley said he thinks the Cowgirls have a good chance of scoring next year.

Success is primed in the immediate future as well.

Scott qualified for the NCAA West Regional, and he jumps Thursday to potentially move on to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Scott said he is looking for more of the same this year.

"The way Josh (Langley) and I see it, at this point it's about mentality and who can be consistent," Scott said. "Usually, height isn't that much of a problem because it is top 12. Just having a clear mind and battling the adversity is what it's about this weekend."

Players Mentioned

Elissa Ray

Blake Scott

Oklahoma State University Athletics