It wasn’t always Briar Ploude’s dream to represent the black and gold of Emporia State in the high jump event. Actually high jumping wasn’t even his original goal as the high school track star from Meridan, KS had different plans after high school.
“My dream since I was little was to go to the Air Force Academy, went through basic training, got told I was never going to be able to fly, so I ended up here, and just found a home,” said Ploude, the senior secondary education major.
Ironically the 5th best high school jumper coming out of high school, who was told by the Air Force he wouldn’t be able to fly, flew. He flew over the rest of the jumpers, and now stands not only as an ESU record holder in high jump, but the number one high jumper in division two.
Ploude wasn’t always a natural, as he struggled early on in his career. For a high jumper who now holds many records, and breaks 7 feet on a regular basis, he struggled to break 7 feet consecutively in his first couple of years.
“I came in with him my freshman year, and as a freshman he kind of had a big head, in your face, just like me, but as Briar has matured as a person, he has matured as an athlete, and it’s showing on the track,” said Tyler Swalley, senior hurdler and business education major.
His work ethic is the biggest factor as Ploude has climbed his way to the top of the bar, as he approaches his final months of his senior year.
“His work ethic has gotten a 100 times better since he got here, one of the hardest working guys on the team, and he is focused more off the track,” said head track coach Steve Blocker.
Unlike most division two athletes Briar doesn’t plan on his athletic career ending at the collegiate level.
“My ultimate goal is to compete professionally, being top ten in the nation makes it realistic, but my goal is to creep up to number 1, and even make the 2016 Olympics, if I did that I could go out happy,” said Ploude.
Being not only the top ranked division two high jumper, but the 7th ranked high jumper in the nation in all collegiate levels makes his Olympics dreams more realistic.