‘Maggie’ Cheers High-Flying Vaulters in Paradise!

Reaching New Heights: A vaulter soars over the bar with a stunning backdrop during the 2025 Pole Vault in Paradise held Jan.5th at Key West's Higgs Beach. (Photos by Keara McGraw)

KEY WEST, Florida — Under blue skies and a radiant January sun, the 2025 Pole Vault in Paradise turned Key West’s Higgs Beach into a world-class pole vaulting venue. With 70-degree temperatures, a steady tailwind, and the sparkling ocean as a backdrop, athletes of all ages pushed their limits at the year’s first outdoor event.

Elite Women Winners, from left: Jill Marios, Kenzie Beukes, and Karlee Fowler.

Top finishers in each flight received copies of Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, a pole vault community favorite hailed by CITIUS Mag as one of the best track and field novels of all time. The story of a Kansas farm girl overcoming life’s challenges through vaulting embodies the resilience seen at events like the Paradise Vault.

Elite Performances Shine

Elite Men Division winners, from left: Kobe Babin, Tray Oates, and Carson Waters.

In the Elite Men’s Division, Tray Oates claimed victory with an outstanding clearance of 5.58 meters (18 feet, 3¾ inches). Carson Waters and Kobe Babin tied for second with jumps of 5.43 meters (17 feet, 9¾ inches). The energy from the crowd was electric as these athletes soared, using the tailwind and perfectly leveled runways to their advantage.

Flight 5 winners, from left: Camryn Givens, Brayden Snider, and Riley Brush.

In the Elite Women’s Division, Kenzie Beukes, a former U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, dominated with a 4.28-meter (14 feet, 0½ inches) jump. Jill Marois finished second at 3.98 meters (13 feet, 0¾ inches), and Karlee Fowler placed third with 3.68 meters (12 feet, 0¾ inches).

The event included vaulters as young as 9 and as seasoned as 75. (See full results below).

A Personal Triumph for the Organizer

Vaulters of all ages including meet organizer Steve Hanes, above, soared at the 2025 Pole Vault in Paradise, blending athleticism and beachside beauty for an unforgettable event.

For event organizer and Key West Track Club Coach Steve Hanes, the day wasn’t just about logistics—it was personal. Hanes cleared 3.25 meters (10 feet, 8 inches), his best jump in three years at the age of 69. The performance places him at the top of the 2025 World Masters Rankings (combined indoor/outdoor) for his age group.

“Meeting the other vaulters and seeing their appreciation for what our team does is the best part for me,” Hanes said. “This is more than just a meet—it’s a celebration of community and the love for this sport.”

Behind the Scenes: Building Paradise

Turning a sandy beach into a pole vault venue isn’t easy. Hanes and his team worked tirelessly to move four tons of equipment, including two 26-foot trucks, a 16-foot trailer, and a van, to Higgs Beach.

“We started at 6 a.m. Thursday, working with beach crews to level the sand and finalize the runway location,” Hanes said, as he explained the feat of sports engineering.

Once the location was set, crews laid the elevated runways. They secured the vault box, aligned the standards with stakes, and used optical lasers to ensure everything was perfectly level. The process was checked and certified by USATF officials, a testament to the event’s high standards.

The event began Friday morning with a pole vault clinic led by legends Kris Allison (Lone Star Pole Vault), Billy Olson (11-time world record holder), and Doug Lytle (1984 Olympic sixth-place finisher). Open runways in the afternoon gave athletes a chance to prep for the big competition on Saturday.

Memories and Legacy

Since its debut in 2019, the Paradise Vault has grown into a highlight on the pole vault calendar. Its unique blend of competition, camaraderie, and stunning scenery keeps athletes and fans coming back year after year. Proceeds from the event support the Key West High School Track Team, helping the next generation of athletes chase their dreams.

As the sun set over the Gulf, casting Higgs Beach in a golden glow, the event wrapped up with one big question answered: Will there be a Paradise Vault in 2026?

The answer is a resounding yes. The Paradise Vault will return to Higgs Beach next January, promising another unforgettable weekend of pole vaulting in paradise. Hopefully, storybook Maggie will be there to cheer them on.

With 13 USATF-certified officials and a dedicated crew, the setup rivals that of national championship events. Meanwhile, additional teams set up tents, banners, food trailers, and other essentials.

“Maggie Vaults Over the Moon is a perfect bonus award for an event like this, maybe next year I can be there in person,” said author Grant Overstake, who was snowed-in in Kansas as the event unfolded under sunny skies in Florida.

Flight 1 Winners from left: RJ Pierman, Dalton Gould, Kieran Taylor.

Flight 3 winners, from left: Lena McCoy, Alejandro Menendez, and Larry Jones III.

Elite vaulter Tray Oates claimed victory with an outstanding clearance of 5.58 meters (18 feet, 3¾ inches). (Photos by Keara McGraw)

Flight 1

  1. Dalton Gould, 4.00m (13-1 ½)

  2. RJ Pierman, 3.85m (12-7 ½)

  3. Kieran Taylor, 3.70m (12-1 ½)

  4. Walker Frisbie, 3.70m (12-1 ½)

  5. William Chapman, 3.55m (11-7 ¾)

  6. Steve Hanes, 3.25m (10-8)

  7. Joshua Weinstein, 3.25m (10-8)

  8. Eric Santa Cruz, 3.25m (10-8)

Flight 2

  1. Niks-Davis Suharevskis, 4.25m (13-11 ¼)

  2. Richard Mangogna, 4.25m (13-11 ¼)

  3. Tyler Anthony, 4.25m (13-11 ¼)

  4. William Chapman, 4.10m (13-5 ¼)

  5. Mac Hunt, 4.10m (13-5 ¼)

  6. Trent Snyder, 4.10m (13-5 ¼)

  7. Simon Weardon, 3.95m (12-11 ½)

  8. Ryan Yoder, 3.95m (12-11 ½)

Flight 3

  1. Alejandro Menendez, 3.75m (12-3 ½)

  2. Larry Jones III, 3.30m (10-9 ¾)

  3. Lena McCoy, 3.30m (10-9 ¾)

  4. Abigail Apeland, 3.15m (10-4)

  5. Easton Condron, 3.00m (9-10)

  6. Elise Longshore, 3.00m (9-10)

  7. Lucas Obrecht, 3.00m (9-10)

  8. Amelia Smack, 3.00m (9-10)

  9. Anabel Portuondo, 2.85m (9-4 ¼)

  10. Allie Davenport, 2.70m (8-10 ¼)

Flight 4 (Elite Women)

  1. Kenzie Beukes, 4.28m (14-0 ½)

  2. Jill Marois, 3.98m (13-0 ¾)

  3. Karlee Fowler, 3.68m (12-0 ¾)

  4. Morgan Juarez, 3.68m (12-0 ¾)

Flight 5

  1. Brayden Snider, 3.85m (12-7 ½)

  2. Riley Brush, 3.70m (12-1 ½)

  3. Camryn Givens, 3.70m (12-1 ½)

  4. Lillian Finke, 3.55m (11-7 ¾)

  5. Charleigh Jacobs, 3.40m (11-1 ¾)

  6. Elena Ginie, 3.40m (11-1 ¾)

Flight 6 (Elite Men)

  1. Tray Oates, 5.58m (18-3 ¾)

  2. Carson Waters, 5.43m (17-9 ¾)

  3. Kobe Babin, 5.43m (17-9 ¾)

  4. Michael Carr, 5.28m (17-3 ¾)

  5. Noah Mumme, 5.28m (17-3 ¾)

  6. Michael Cyphers, 5.13m (16-10)

Get your copy of “Maggie” today in paperback, ebook, or performed brilliantly on audio by Tavia Gilbert, available at Amazon and wherever books are sold online.