Former Ashland University pole vaulter, Katie Nageotte, won her first outdoor world gold medal in the Outdoor World Athletics Championship in Eugene, Ore. on July 17.

Nageotte won the outdoor women’s pole vault event with a vault of 15 feet-11 inches that propelled her to the best vault in the world this past summer season. 

During her time at AU, she was a three-time All-American and a two-time D-II National Champion.

Although Nageotte had success at AU, her journey to a gold medal wasn’t always easy. “My biggest failure was not making the Olympic team in 2016,” said Nageotte.

The failure in 2016, led her to be more focused than ever to make the Olympic team in 2020. 

In 2020, she not only made the Olympic team but also won gold in the indoor women’s pole vault event. The momentum then raced on into 2022 for a second gold medal, this time in the outdoor world championships.

It took the better part of a decade for Nageotte to reach an outdoor world medal, but the foundation for the vault for gold was built at AU.

“Katie had tremendous runway speed and was highly skilled technically…which we continued to work on throughout her time here,” said Dennis Steele, 2012-2013 AU pole vault coach.

The love between coach and athlete is reciprocated by both Nageotte and Steele. Coaches throughout her career have helped mentor and develop her including Coach Steel.

“I couldn’t do this alone…I had coaches that helped me become the champion I am today,” said Nageotte.

Winning both an indoor and outdoor gold medal was a dream come true for Nageotte, but a proud moment for her former coach as well.

“What pleases me the most is to see her achieve her dreams and goals, along with seeing the nice and polite young woman she has become,” said Steele.

After a plethora of rightfully deserved national praise, a localized Ohio ceremony comes calling as another celebration of Nageotte’s accomplishments. She will be inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame, on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower.

Nageotte in just a few short weeks will get a homecoming celebration of her accomplishments, just under half an hour away from her hometown of Olmsted Falls, Ohio.