Emelie Beckman Pole Vaulting Successes

Kelby Chichester

Mount St. Mary’s Junior Emilie Beckman, an international student from Sweden, broke the school record for the women’s pole vault for the second meet in a row. After setting the record at 4.00 meters during the MAAC indoor championship, Beckman raised it by 0.5 meters to win the event at IC4A/ECAC. This remarkable achievement highlights her dedication and hard work continue to set new benchmarks for herself and her team.    

Beckman describes the moment as “exciting,” emphasizing how clearing a high bar prompts an “outburst of joy” that is impossible to contain. She shared, “I skip and hop around like a child,” illustrating the pure happiness she feels when reaching these milestones.

Beckman also reflects on how breaking the school record has been a long-term goal, saying,” when I first came to The Mount my freshman year my PR was just 10 cm below the school record at that time. So, my goal from the beginning was to break that record.” She expresses immense gratitude for the opportunity to surpass this goal multiple times, underscoring the hard work and dedication that have driven her success.   

When discussing the most challenging aspect of pole vaulting, Beckman highlights the mental side of the sport. She explains that, while many may realize the physical demands for the event, the mental challenges are overlooked. For her, “the most challenging part of pole vault, is definitely the mental side.” 

She stresses the importance of confidence and intention when approaching the vault, stating that “when you come down that runway you need to be confident and intention with what you’re doing.” Beckman acknowledges that maintaining this mindset can be difficult, especially on days when “you’re feeling off or just in general not so confident,” as it is easy to fall into a “negative loop” and struggle with the jump.   

Beckman’s journey in pole vaulting began at a very young age. She recalls, “I started track and field very early when I was seven,” and describes how the track, located just “two minutes away from my house,” became a hub for local athletes. She explains that, initially, she was involved in multi event training, but at age 13, her coaches introduced her to pole vaulting. From that moment, she became hooked, saying, “I just kept wanting to vault because it was the event I found the most fun.”

Beckman also acknowledges the influence of Swedish pole-vaulting star Angelica Bengtsson, who was “from my team” and a prominent role model. She adds that Bengtsson’s success had a significant impact on her own decision to pursue pole vault, noting, “she was kind of the one that every little track girl in Sweden looked up to.”   

Beckman enjoys a balance between hard work in practice and relaxation during her downtime. Outside of track and field, preferring activities like “hanging out with friends and family, reading, and just napping.” This contrasts with her intense focus and determination when training, highlighting her ability to enjoy both productivity and relaxation.   

While Beckman values her time in America, she admits to experiencing homesickness, particularly when feeling “down or stressed.” She misses “my friends and family the most,” as well as familiar comforts like “the food, my cat and sometimes even the weather, even though it’s disgusting and cold.”   

One of her favorite aspects of being at The Mount is the opportunity to grow both personally and athletically. She explains that becoming a student-athlete here has helped her mature, saying, “I have gone through so much personal growth here that I will forever be grateful for my time at The Mount.”