Grand Valley State alumna Kristen Hixson is vaulting to new heights in pursuit of making her first Olympic team this summer.

Hixson, a 2014 graduate and three-time collegiate national champion in the women’s pole vault, cleared 4.65 meters last weekend on March 12 to place fourth at the USA Track and Field Indoor National Championships.

The career-best jump was the second time in 22 days that Hixson had surpassed the elusive and daunting 15-foot plateau. She had been chasing that mark for nearly two years after jumping a Division II-record 4.50 meters (14 feet, 9.25 inches) to claim the 2014 outdoor national championship at GVSU.

“I needed it to happen only one time,” Hixson said. “It’s like this mental barrier and once you know you can do it one time, then that barrier sort of goes away and it’s just another bar – another height.”

At the GVSU Tune-Up Meet on Feb. 19, Hixson pushed past the 15-foot barrier for the first time by clearing 4.62 meters and surpassing the qualifying standard needed for the U.S. Olympic trials.

After countless hours of training and numerous attempts to break her long-withstanding 4.50 meter personal best, it would be insensitive to say that Hixson’s latest breakout performances have been worth the wait. But, the standout vaults do come at an ideal time with the Olympic trials happening in early July and the ultimate goal of reaching the Rio 2016 Olympics is just around the corner in August.

Hixson is hopeful she is building momentum to raise the bar even higher.

“My training isn’t designed to peak right now,” she said. “It’s designed to peak in July and sometimes that’s hard to remember as you’re going through it. But, as long as I can see that we are on the way up and we are on our way to the peak, I’m satisfied with that and it’s encouraging to know that’s how my training is set up.”

Making her first Olympic team, however, won’t be easy. Only the top three finishers at the Olympic trials will represent the stars and stripes in Brazil. The USA Track and Field Indoor National Championship last weekend provided some insight to where Hixson currently stands.

Defending Olympic goal medalist Jenn Suhr, 34, holds the indoor world record (5.03 meters), but was knocked off by Sandi Morris, 23, who jumped 4.95 meters to defeat Suhr by two inches. Demi Payne, 24, vaulted 4.85 meters to capture the last spot on the podium ahead of Hixson.

“It’s going to be tough, but that makes it even more exciting,” Hixson said. “If it happens, then words couldn’t describe how I would feel. I get butterflies just thinking about it.”

Hixson now shifts her focus to the outdoor season, while continuing to be actively involved in helping her alma mater – exemplifying what it means to be a ‘Laker for a Lifetime.’

“I wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for Grand Valley,” Hixson said. “I mean truly they have supported me more than anybody, almost. Just as much as my family and that’s a lot. I thank God every day that I chose Grand Valley initially because none of this – even where I’m at right now – would be possible and I’m so thankful for the continued support after graduating.”

Providing assistance whenever she can or completing her own training sessions, Hixson remains an integral part of the GVSU track and field program. Head coach Jerry Baltes appreciates having Hixson around three to five days a week and is proud to see her excelling after college.

“It’s great to have someone still going,” Baltes said. “Not too many times in track and field at the DII level that you have a post-grad who are in a position to potentially make a U.S. championship team or Olympic team. It’s outstanding for her to be in that position. Still a lot of work to do and a long way to go, but she certainly has a shot.”