O'Sullivan clearing 16-00.25 in front of an impressed crowd during the 2021 Indoor State Sectionals.
There were several eye-popping results turned in by New Jersey athletes during the first week of the indoor track and field season, but there was one that stood out more than any other.
Brian O'Sullivan of Hillsborough put on a remarkable aerial show in the pole vault during the Coach Saint Invitational at the NY Armory last Friday as he soared over the bar at 16-5!!!! That's No. 3 in NJ indoor history, and is the top mark in the nation so far.
The only vaulters in NJ history that have gone higher than O'Sullivan indoors are Bill Lange of Bridgewater East, who who soared to a state record 17-0 in 1980, and Bradley Jelmert of Watchung Hills, who cleared 16-10 as a senior in 2020. In case your wondering, the state outdoor record is 17-4.50, set by Adam Sarafian of Ocean Township in 2004.
The Rutgers-bound O'Sullivan, who won the Meet of Champions title indoors last year in the pole vault, came into this season, with an indoor PR of 16-0.25 and outdoor PR of 16-3.
NJ MileSplit caught up with O'Sullivan in between his workouts at the Vault Factory this week to get his thoughts on his remarkable season opener, his quest to try to break the state record, how he first got started in vaulting, and a whole lot more. So take a break from wrapping presents and lean back in your fancy recliner next to the fireplace with a little glass of egg nog, and enjoy our latest installment of Feature Friday as we shine the spotlight on Hillsborough star Brian O'Sullivan.
NJM: First off, what does it mean to you to open your season with a US No. 1 vault and PR of 16-5? It must have been an amazing feeling to see the bar still up there after you started coming down!
To start my season on a PR and a US No.1 was really accomplishing, because on your first meet the goal is to just get a bar for a season opener so you can have a mark. But being able to open up a season with a Pr and becoming first in the US for pole vault is such an amazing feeling. It took time to set in my head that I was the No.1 Pole vaulter in the US. Also Jumping 16'5 is a big milestone in my pole vault career because it is 5 meters.
How about now being No. 3 in NJ indoor history with your 16-5. What does that mean to you, Brian- to be one of the best ever this early in the season?
The No.3 spot for the indoor season really means a lot to me because it makes me want to strive for breaking the record and becoming No.1. And it also sets a goal in my head that I want to achieve which makes me want to push myself harder.
What did you have the bar raised to after you made the 16-5, and what were those attempts like? You get close?
My next bar after my 16'5 Jump was 16'9 and I went for that height to see what I can do on those higher bars. And I got very close to clearing it on my second attempt. And being close to clearing it gives me the motivation to clear it in a future meet.
The state indoor PV record is 17-0 (set in 1980 by Bill Lange of Bridgewater), so that is obviously a record that you are getting very close to. What are your thoughts on trying to break that record this season, and what would it mean to you to become the state record holder?
Becoming the state record holder is something that I always dreamed of in my pole vault career. And the record being at 17 feet will give me a good opportunity to clear it this indoor season. And to become the state record holder will mean so much to me because it will show that I have pushed myself through the whole season to achieve these goals.
I know you vaulted went 16-3 over the summer, so I'm wondering if you can tell me exactly what the biggest difference has been over the last six months that has enabled you to hit 16-3 and now 16-5? What have you been able to do more efficiently to get over those heights?
Over the summer I vaulted 16-3 and I had a little bit of a plateau because I spiked myself pole vaulting which set me back a couple weeks and some other little injuries that happened. But the reason I was able to clear 16-5 was because I was constantly training over the summer and beginning of the school year which really builds up strength to be able to achieve higher heights. I have also gotten faster than I was last season which allows me to go on bigger poles and therefore jumping higher. My form has also gotten better which increases height for Pole vault as well.
What specific phases in your technique do you think you need to sharpen to get over 17-0 and beyond? What will it take to be able to get those bigger clearances?
The biggest things that I need to fix in my technique to achieve the bigger heights are my jump up at the plant. This will make the poles roll over more, making it easier to go over bars at the top end of the jump. And to get those bigger clearances it will need to take the perfect jump on a big pole.
RANKINGS: New Jersey Boys Pole Vault
When is your next meet and what is your goal for that meet?
My next meet is January 2nd [Somerset County Championships] at Ocean Breeze. My goal for that meet is to get a 16-6 or above so I can try to work up my PR's through the season to then achieve17 feet by the end of the indoor season.
What are your biggest goals for this season and for outdoors?
The big goal that I am aiming for this indoor season is 17 feet because it is a very big milestone in a pole vaulter's career. And for outdoor, the goal is 17-6 or above because being able to consistently get PR's through the year is very difficult.
Which club do you vault with, and what is an average week of training like for you? How many hours a day, and how many days a week etc???
I vault at a club called Vault Factory and we train in the Rutgers bubble for the indoor season Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 2 hours each session. And on the days that I am not pole Vaulting I do running workouts on the Track. I also try to do weight lifting around 3 times a week.
O'Sullivan clearing 16-05 during his opening indoor event his senior season.
Let's rewind the clock, Brian. How, why, and when did you and your brother, Kevin, get involved in vaulting. Tell me how all this started for you?
Back in 7th Grade I quit baseball and wanted to try something new. My dad recommended that I should give pole vault a try because he did it in his high school and college years. I have seen Pole vaulting in videos and I always wanted to give it a try. So me and my brother started to pole vault at the Vault Factory. When we started we were never serious about it until we got into high school. But turns out that decision was the right choice because I have loved the sport ever since I started.
What do you love the most about vaulting? Lots of athletes won't even try it, so what is it about being upside down in the air that makes you feel so comfortable and enjoy it so much?
I love pole vaulting because It gives me such an adrenaline rush every time I run down the runway. And the feeling of being upside down and getting launched in the air is amazing and there is nothing quite like it. There is also a lot of competition in the sport which makes me strive to be the best. Pole vaulting is very difficult and that is why a lot of people would not even try it, and also what makes pole vaulting really fun is because it is challenging.
NEWS: Brian O'Sullivan Opens Indoor 2023 US No. 1
How much time do you spend watching videos of vaulters, and who do you watch and what have you learned from watching them? I am sure Mondo is someone you watch a lot.
I spend a lot of my free time watching pole vaulters because pole vaulting is such a technical sport. And watching videos of pros can give you an idea on how to improve your jump. And it is also very important to watch your jump to see what you can improve on. Watching videos of pros is also very interesting because every person has a different technique. And watching the world record holder Mondo also gives me a lot of motivation because his technique is amazing and he makes it look so easy.
What is the most impressive T&F accomplishment you've ever witnessed, and what made it stand out so much to you?
The most impressive accomplishment that I ever witnessed was on live TV when Mondo broke the world record and jumped 6.21m. That stood out to me because it shows that it is possible to be able to pole vault above 20ft.
If you weren't a track and field athlete, what sport would you be playing?
If I was not a track and field athlete I would probably still be playing baseball.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I see myself still pole vaulting and trying to make it into the Olympics.
What advice would you give to younger vaulters who are just starting out in the sport?
I would say to work hard and train hard and everything can become possible. And set goals and try to achieve them. And have fun because pole vaulting can become very frustrating at some times.
I know you have committed to Rutgers, so tell me what it was about Rutgers that made you feel that was the best place for you, and what do you plan to major in?
Rutgers was a good choice for me because I wanted to go to a school where I can be put into the big meets. My club coach is also the pole vaulting coach at Rutgers and that will make it really easy to train because I will have the poles that I need and the great facilities that Rutgers has. And I plan to major in Business at Rutgers.