The Bison women’s track and field team has done very well in their season thus far. This past weekend at the Penn State Sykes and Sabock Challenge, pole vaulter Jenny Scott ’23, had a noticeable run, placing 8th.

Earlier in the season, Scott placed first amongst all the pole vaulters at the Gulden Invite that took place in the Orange and Blue’s own Gerhard Fieldhouse on Jan. 22, as well as fourth in the Nittany Lion Challenge on January 15. Her jumps included the impressive heights of 11’10.5, 11’9.75, and 11’5.75. 

The female track star has not just been successful this current winter season, as she has recorded numerous impressive achievements throughout her career. Scott joined the team her freshman year but expresses it was not until her sophomore campaign that she proved herself a quality competitor. 

“Personally, I definitely struggled my first year on the track team, not hitting any of the marks I wanted to or knew I could hit. But if I have learned anything from my experience as a vaulter and on this team, it is to never give up, as cliché as that sounds. The last couple of seasons have been really great and I am so excited for the rest of our indoor season as well as our upcoming outdoor season.” 

Her last couple of seasons have indeed been impressive. During the outdoor 2021 season, Scott jumped an 11’5.75 at the UVA opener to earn a 6th place finish as well as an 11’5.75 at a home meet against St. Francis and UMBC for the runner up position. Her first-place finishes came at the Lehigh Happy Easter Races, where she also jumped an 11’5.75, and at the Bucknell Quad Meet where she jumped a whopping 12’0. At the Patriot League Championships last outdoor season, the vaulter placed 8th and scored half a point, jumping an 11’7.75. In all of Bison Track and Field history, the junior holds the record for 4th all-time best pole vault for outdoor and 7th all-time pole vault for indoor. 

Even with all these amazing feats, Scott is looking to improve even further but also reflects on how fortunate her team is to have a full season, once more, after having partial seasons in the past due to COVID-19. “Shooting for personal bests is always the goal, but right now I am just enjoying the full season we are lucky enough to have this year. I think I am most excited about the upcoming Patriot League Championships which is at our home track this year!”

Scott and her Bison teammates will compete once again on Feb. 11 and 12 at the VMI invite, where the vaulter will grow even further as an athlete and teammate. 

“Joining the Women’s Track and Field Team was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I get to do something I love every single day with teammates who are also my best friends. This team is so talented across all events and it is really amazing to watch my teammates during practice and meets. Seeing all the hard work people put in on and off the track pay off is a really cool experience and something I’m so glad to be a part of. I also love how encouraging and supportive this team is of each other. Coming to practice is usually the best part of my day and I can say with certainty that it is because of the girls on this team and our awesome coaches,” Scott said. 

Career Stats: 

1st at Bucknell Quad in 2021 with 3.66m

1st at Lehigh Happy Easter Races in 2021 with 3.50m

1st at Gulden Invite in 2022 with 3.60m

4th best all-time Bison outdoor pole vault

7th best all-time Bison indoor pole vault