D.C. Everest pole vaulter Kaleb Schuster looks to reach new heights

WESTON - Last spring was a breakthrough track season for Kaleb Schuster in his junior year.

The D.C. Everest pole vaulter won the Wisconsin Valley Conference boys indoor and outdoor titles and qualified for the WIAA state track meet in the event. 

Now the Evergreens veteran, who won the WVC indoor pole vault title earlier this month, looks to clear new heights in his final prep season. His goals include a run at the Evergreens' boys pole vault outdoor record of 15 feet, 8 inches and to finish on the podium in the state meet in June. 

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"(Last year) was just kind of eye-opening," Schuster said of his 11th-place finish in the Division 1 pole vault competition. "When I see that there is that many people who are as good and better than me, it really motivates me to keep working hard knowing that I am not the best yet. I know that I can there but just have to keep working hard."

Schuster also was a wideout and defensive back for the football team and was part of the Evergreens' state-qualifying 400 meter relay team last year as well. He  is headed to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for track and recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about his start as a pole vaulter and some of his top sports memories. 

How nice was it to get outside this week and get a chance for the start of the second half of the (track) season?

It's awesome. We live for outdoor track. Indoor is just kind of a warm-up to the season. We have a great facility here (at Everest) that we can use and it 's just a lot nicer getting outside and be able to run on the turf and track. It's a lot better than in the halls (at school).

What is your mindset for the indoor season?

I try to not get hung up on it. For me, indoor is just kind of a practice for the outdoor season. No one really cares what you do for the indoor season. They care what you do at state in La Crosse. Last year I finished the season with the top indoor mark and I placed 11th at state. 

When did you start vaulting?

First time I vaulted was seventh grade. I didn't really know much about it but was kind of testing out the events — high jump, long jump, all that. I ended up trying the pole vault and liking it and Coach Otto (Phil Oettinger) taught me a lot about it and it kind of came natural to me. It was something I was always good at. 

Is fear the initial thing you have to get over?

(Oettinger) always says you kind of have to be a daredevil. It's not for everyone, obviously. It's kind of scary hanging upside down 15 feet above a metal box. 

What has been your top sports memory?

In track, it was definitely going to state. I had a blast. It was state and I will have that memory for the rest of my life and hope to make more memories at state this year.  For football, it's probably beating Wausau West (this past fall). I scored a 70-yard touchdown on the first play on a trick play. It was a crazy game against a crosstown rival. It was a big one for us to win. 

Do you have any superstitions?

I wear the same socks (for each meet). I am pretty superstitious when it comes to that stuff. Try and keep (routines) the same. 

What are your postgraduation plans?

I am going to UW-La Crosse and am going to pole vault. They have an amazing track program with tons of success and I am excited to go there. 

Was it always a goal to compete at the next level?

I really didn't know I wanted to compete in college track until my junior year when I made it to state. That's when I thought I could actually do it. My sophomore year was cut short due to injury so I was still a bit skeptical if I wanted to (run track) in college. 

Who is your celebrity crush?

Selena Gomez. 

Where is your dream vacation?

Somewhere tropical. Jamaica. 

FAVORITES

Sports: Track, football.

Pro or college athlete:(Swedish-American 18-year-old pole vaulter) Mondo Duplantis.

Movie: "The Blind Side."

Music: Rap and hip-hop.

App on phone: Twitter.

Food or meal: Steak.