At Vintage IT Services, we believe technology should run smoothly, leadership should be transparent, and life should be lived with passion. And sometimes that passion takes you outside the office and over a crossbar at full speed.
This week, we’re sharing something fun, personal, and inspiring from our very own CEO — an update on his new pole-vaulting season.
Last summer, he shared the final stretch of his competition journey. This year, he’s taking us along for the full ride, offering updates from time to time as the season unfolds. Because here at Vintage, we believe balance matters. Work is important, but so is challenge, discipline, and doing something you love simply because you love it.
Training Never Stops
Once the pole vault season ended in August, there was no long vacation or off-season hibernation. Instead, training transitioned straight into pre-season mode, a period focused on rebuilding strength, refining technique, and preparing the body and mind for a new competitive year.
Even now, the focus remains on training — but with one exciting break.
This weekend, our CEO will be competing in the Bob Crites Invitational at MacVault in College Station, an event that brings together athletes of all ages and experience levels. Thirteen Masters athletes (lovingly referred to as “us old guys,” as he puts it) will be competing, alongside middle schoolers, high schoolers, collegiate athletes, and everyone in between.
Pole vaulting is a sport where community matters as much as performance. Meets like these are electric. They’re filled with athletes cheering each other on, celebrating PRs, sharing technique tips, and pushing one another to get better with every jump.
A Sport Full of Legends and Friendships
One of the most rewarding parts of being involved in the pole vaulting world is the incredible people you meet along the way. The featured photo from the newsletter includes our CEO alongside two giants in the sport:
- Katerina Stefanidi, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist
- Anicka Newell, 2-time Canadian Olympian and Texas resident
Meeting athletes of this caliber — and discovering how generous, grounded, and passionate they are — is one of the most joyful elements of competing in Masters track and field. Pole vaulting creates connections that span cities, states, and continents, joining athletes of all ages with a shared love of a very technical, demanding, addictive sport.
These connections also serve as inspiration. It’s one thing to train hard. It’s another to stand next to Olympians and feel their energy, discipline, and humility up close.
Competing as a Masters Athlete: Yes, You Can
One of the purposes behind sharing these updates is to highlight something important:
It is absolutely possible — and incredibly rewarding — to compete in track and field as an adult, even as a beginner.
The Masters community is welcoming, supportive, and packed with people who got started later in life or returned to the sport after decades away. Some athletes compete for fitness, others for fun, and many with the same competitive fire they had at 17.
If the idea inspires you — whether you’re curious, nostalgic, or just craving a fresh challenge — there’s a great place to begin:
You’ll find events, age groups, competitions, training opportunities, and more. You might even discover a new part of yourself.
Why This Matters at Vintage IT Services
Yes, this post is about pole vaulting — not IT. But it represents something bigger that matters deeply at Vintage.
Strong leadership is built on:
- Commitment
- Focus
- Continuous growth
- Humility
- A willingness to push through challenge
The same traits that help our CEO clear a crossbar translate directly into our company culture and the way we approach technology, service, and strategy. Passion outside of work fuels better thinking inside of work. Clearer minds make better decisions. Stronger habits create stronger leadership.
We love sharing these stories with our clients and community because they remind us that behind every server, every project, and every decision is a team of real people striving to grow — in and out of the office.
Follow the Journey
Throughout the season, we’ll share additional updates. Whether it’s meet results, training insights, or stories from the Masters pole vaulting world, we hope it inspires you the same way it inspires us.
And who knows — maybe next year, you’ll be the one stepping onto the runway with a pole in hand.