Olympic champ Jenn Suhr helps coach the next generation at Roberts Wesleyan

Chili, New York – By the time Brynn King finished her pole vault career at Duke University, she knew one thing for sure.

“I knew I had more in me,” said King. She was unaware, though, that Roberts Wesleyan University, a little Division II university close to Rochester, would have more to offer.

“I wasn’t even really considering Division II schools,” King said. “A lot of my friends and peers were confused at my decision, asking me why I would give up what I had. I knew this was where I needed to be.”

Brynn was recruited to the university with assistance from the former gold medal pair, Jenn and Rick Suhr.

Jenn holds the indoor pole vault world record in addition to her 2012 Olympic gold title and 2008 silver medal.

Jenn can impart knowledge that only a champion can provide, while Rick offers the pole vault equivalent of the Xs and Os.

“You have the coaching perspective, and you have the emotional perspective,” said Suhr. “Sometimes we’ll leave practice, and we’ll talk about it the whole way home and we’ll have a strategy for the next day.”

King’s decision to switch from the Division I crowd to Division II appears to be paying off already. At Duke, she had a personal best jump of fewer than 14 feet. She’s already reached a new best of 15″4 after a year at Roberts Wesleyan, which is a rather uncommon accomplishment.

“Most people don’t improve their PR by nearly a foot and a half, especially not when you get into the 14-to-15-foot range,” said King. “The growth that I have had this year is pretty much unheard of.”

Sure could have been able to coach anywhere thanks to her reputation and resume. However, the life of an Olympic athlete is difficult; they spend their summers in Europe and their final five years of life in Texas. She was eager to get back to her alma institution after spending so much time away from it.

“I was done traveling,” said Suhr. “I wanted to be home. I wanted to be local. We got some offers to go elsewhere, but I just didn’t want to live anywhere but this area.”

Jenn has learned to never undervalue Rick’s teaching magic after witnessing King’s progress. The Roberts Wesleyan outreach has benefited from the same magic.

“We are getting a lot of attention nationwide, people are starting to realize what Roberts Wesleyan is and are asking about it now,” Suhr said.

Program Roberts Wesleyan is prepared to take off and make a permanent mark on the Olympic pole vault map.