ENCINITAS — Every school year, San Dieguito Academy pole vaulter Dylan Yarbrough turns to the same ritual: a Moleskine notebook on his bedroom desk, where he writes down his goals.
This year, the senior set two targets — break the school record first, then surpass the San Diego Section mark of 17 feet, 2 inches, set in 2021 by La Costa Canyon’s Garrett Brown.
Yarbrough — a UCLA commit — heads into the final two meets of the season having already cleared his first goal multiple times and now sits just an inch shy of the second.
Coming off a leap of 17 feet, 1 inch — the second-highest mark in San Diego County history — on May 8 to win an Avocado League title, Yarbrough brought that form into Saturday’s CIF San Diego Section Division II championship at University City High School, winning at 16-6 and finishing a full two feet ahead of the runner-up. He is now ranked No. 1 in California and No. 7 nationally.
“It was definitely about jumping as high as I can, but also focusing on improving every week — small improvements,” he told The Coast News. “Over the week before the record, I just had this consistency and mindset of jumping really well and refining little things. I was fine-tuning my run-up, perfecting everything, and my vault started to look really good. I’ve kind of been on fire since the [first] 16-6 jump. I’m going for 17-2 to break the San Diego County record. I’m hoping to break it. I’m focused more on improving behind the scenes.”
“I’ve known him since the ninth grade,” SDA pole vault coach Mike Fitchett added. “Right away, I knew he was driven and worked really hard — not just in the pole vault, but in speed and strength work too. Very early on, he started training year-round, and that made a huge difference. He’s goal-driven. Before he leaves high school, he wants to leave his mark. He’s going to want to break the all-time San Diego record.”
Yarbrough said clearing 17 feet in practice earlier this season gave him a new mindset.
“That was a big breakthrough,” he said. “I’m not shooting for just 17 feet anymore. I think I’m definitely capable of going 17-6 and beyond. I’m so much faster on the runway, and that’s helping me get on bigger poles. My core is a lot stronger from all the drills I’ve been doing, and it’s helping my top end. I don’t have to work so hard through the jump — it’s more natural now.”
Fitchett echoed that assessment.
“In every meet, you have to measure a lot of things,” he said. “One is the environment — Is it warm? Is it colder? Is there wind? Is it a tailwind at your back or a headwind? How are you feeling? Are you awake enough? He gets himself into a position where he can do his best when it’s time to go.”
Fitchett also pointed to the technical side of Yarbrough’s progression, noting the range of poles used depending on conditions.
“We have about eight to 12 poles, depending on all those variable factors,” he said. “If we can get doubles lined up, he jumps really, really well. By the time he leaves high school, I think we are looking at probably 17-6.”
The section championship is this coming weekend, followed by the state championships on May 30.
For Yarbrough, the pursuit of history comes with a decision.
“He had to choose either to go to his high school graduation or the state finals,” Fitchett said. “He didn’t even blink.”
Beginner pole vault training under the guidance of Fitchett will run through the summer in Encinitas.
