Sophie Gutermuth

The Barracuda Foundation is proud to partner with Team USA pole vault hopeful Sophie Gutermuth. Sophie picked up pole vaulting in 8th grade and soon after ended up winning the middle school district meet and went on to vault in high school, where she made it to state and placed 2nd place 3 years in row. Her senior year she got her all time PR (personal record) at the state meet, where her identical twin sister took first! Sophie was offered a scholarship to go to Indiana University, where she competed for all 4 years, metaling multiple times at The Big 10 Conference.

In 2016, Sophie hit the Olympic trial standard which was 4.4 meters, 14'5" at the time. Shortly after hitting that standard, USA track and field increased the standard to 4.5 meters, 14'9". It was heartbreaking to be so close, but she decided she wasn't done yet! Post collegiately, she has been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to train with Tim mack, 2004 gold medalist in the Pole vault, for one year, as well as Dave Volz, a 1994 Olympian in the event!  Currently she is back with her college coach training at Indiana University. Sophie finished 7th at the 2021 US Olympic Trials and continues to improve as she heads into the 2024 season.

Sophie states, “Although I have been out of college for a few years, I still continue to improve every year, and I am confident I can hit both of those standards! I will continue to jump until I stop improving! I am so thankful for the support of Davis Family, and honor Griffin every day that I train and compete. I am so happy he initially reached out to me and that his family continues to support his dream of supporting myself and other athletes on our journey.”

Sophie is Team USA pole vault hopeful with a
dream of making it to the 2024 Olympics!