BHS graduate sets school pole vault record for Mountaineers
Breckenridge High School 2015 graduate Nocona Swindell set a school record at Western Colorado University in the indoor women’s pole vault when she competed in the Adams State University Grizzly Open in Alamosa, Colorado, last week.
Representing the Western Colorado Mountaineers, she placed first in the contest with a mark of 12’ 2.75”, which is an NCAA Division II Indoor Championship provisional qualifying mark, and currently ranks third best in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
The previous indoor women’s pole vault school record at Western Colorado University (formerly known as Western State Colorado University) was held by Airrie Robinson and was set in 2009 at a height of 12’ 2.25”.
Swindell also holds the second highest outdoor women’s pole vault mark in school history, clearing 12’ 4.75” in 2018. Robinson holds the outdoor record at 12’ 6.75”, set in 2010.
When she was a senior at Breckenridge High School, Swindell placed second in pole vault at the UIL State Championship, tying with students from Early and Edna with a mark of 11′ 6″. Also in 2015, Swindell came in second in the UIL Regional championship, setting a personal record at that time of 11’9″. Earlier that year, she placed first in the UIL District and Area championships, as well as at the Possum Kingdom Relays and the Hamlin Piper Relays.
Below is a video of Swindell’s vault, as posted on Instagram by Western Colorado University.
View this post on Instagram
(Top photo and video courtesy of Western Colorado University)
Help support the Breckenridge Texan’s local news coverage mission
The Breckenridge Texan, a non-profit news outlet serving Breckenridge and Stephens County, Texas, has launched its annual NewsMatch fundraising campaign, running through Dec. 31, 2024.
As a non-profit news outlet, the Breckenridge Texan depends on donations, in addition to ad sales, to fund daily operations, including website costs, freelance writers, and basic office expenses. The organization aims to raise $4,000, which could be tripled to $12,000 through various matching programs, including the NewsMatch program and the Rural Partner Fund, which is supported by several major foundations.
Founded in 2017 by journalists Tony Pilkington and Carla McKeown, the Breckenridge Texan provides daily local news coverage, weekly newsletters, photo galleries, a community calendar, and obituaries. The outlet serves both local residents and people outside the community seeking information about Breckenridge and Stephens County, including potential new residents and businesses. They chose the non-profit structure to maintain local control of news coverage while minimizing the financial burden on the community.
In addition to regular news coverage, the Breckenridge Texan also offers:
A weekly newsletter that delivers a roundup of recent stories via email every Monday
Photo galleries from local events
A Calendar of Events, which lists upcoming community activities
Local obituaries
And more
Donations can be made through the Breckenridge Texan website’s donate page, the NewsMatch campaign page, or by mail to Breckenridge Texan, P.O. Box 1228, Breckenridge, Texas 76424. The organization operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), which is the name that will appear on donation billing statements.
If you believe local news is important and love the work we’re doing, please contribute today!
Click here to make a donation.
Thank for your support.
Make a donation