Higham soaring to new hights across the seas

The sport of football (soccer) is synonymous with England, primarily because of the popularity… The sport of football (soccer) is synonymous with England, primarily because of the popularity of the Premier League. For this reason, it is very difficult for many English athletes to make headlines in other sports.

One who did take the road less traveled and found success, however, can be found on Pitt’s very own track and field team. His name is Keith Higham and his trade is pole vaulting.

“For a freshman, especially one not from this country, forced to adjust to a different way of life, he has been incredible,” head coach Alonzo Webb said.

Having already vanquished his contemporaries in England, Higham decided to enroll at Pitt to have the opportunity to compete against America’s best vaulters. Before arriving, Higham had already compiled one of the most impressive track resumes an incoming freshman could have. His lengthy list of accolades includes an Under-17 National Indoor and Outdoor Championship, the OCS Young Sportsperson of the Year Award, and three selections to represent England abroad in international competitions.

Higham attended Trinity school in Carlisle, Cumbria, a region in north central England. The school had no official track team, forcing him to compete individually at meets around England. Once able to earn a spot on the Carlisle United’s junior football team, Higham took an interest in track by watching his older sister compete in high jump competitions. Following her lead, Higham also began high jumping, but quickly discovered he was too short.

“I got into pole vaulting because it looked easy and I thought it would be fun,” Higham said. “I was wrong; it’s definitely not easy.”

In just his first season at Pitt, Higham has certainly made pole vaulting seem easy. Already the school record holder, he recently solidified his No. 1 ranking in the Big East by winning his event at the Big East Outdoor Championships. Considering his rapid progress, there will be high expectations for him in his time at Pitt.

“Keith is an exceptional athlete and a valuable asset to this team,” teammate and javelin specialist Corey Kuehner said. “He has a lot of potential beyond what he has already accomplished.”

Higham admitted to undergoing a period of adjustment upon coming to Pittsburgh last summer. Despite the minor difficulties, he says it has been fun learning about American culture. He also added that he believes Pittsburgh actually receives less rainfall than his hometown.

“Pittsburgh is definitely different than the U.K., but on a smaller scale than it would be compared to another country, or even to the southern United States,” Higham said.

Higham stated that the differences in the American university system and the temperature extremes of Pittsburgh made it more difficult to adjust. The temperature fluctuations contributed to several illnesses he contracted during the indoor track season.

“Keith had to battle with the flu for most of the indoor season,” Kuehner said. “Although he was sick, he still had a great indoor season and an even better outdoor one.”

By the time he graduates, Higham would like to be ranked within the top three nationally and have a jump over five meters (over 16 feet). He would also like to maintain good grades and earn his undergraduate degree. Afterwards, he expects to return to the U.K. for his master’s degree and would then like to join the Grand Prix Circuit for a few years. The Grand Prix Circuit pays its elite athletes to compete in meets and athletic tours throughout Europe.

Thanks to his success, Higham will only now be returning to England for the summer, but he doesn’t plan on taking a break. He hopes to compete in the Euro Under-23 Championships in Germany. This would cap off a busy but extremely successful freshman year, something that has not gone unnoticed by his coach and teammates.

“Keith has been a great influence on our team,” teammate and fellow vaulter Marissa Dudek said. “In his first year at Pitt, he has done things that take people years to do. I think at the rate that he’s going, he will be an All-American every year and I think that he will also be an Olympian. I’m not sure what his future plans are but I know he is capable of competing in the big leagues.”

“I feel he has the potential to become a national champion, quite possibly more than once,” Kuehner said. “He has incredible talent that could make him an Olympic elite.”

“I believe he can be an All-American every year and eventually finish within the top three nationally,” Webb said. “It is also not completely out of the question for him to be a national champion. These things are hard to predict, but he has the ability and drive to be that good.”

When rare free moments emerge, Higham indulges in his two passions — sports and music. He stays active by playing tennis and soccer, and also enjoys playing the guitar and piano. His favorite summer pastime is attending the famed Glastonbury Music Festival in Glastonbury, England. The festival is distinguished for being the largest green-field music and performing arts festival in the world. Aside from that, Keith prefers to just hang out with friends at local pubs, drink “soda,” and relax.

Last weekend, Higham was one of three male athletes from Pitt, and the only freshman to compete at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. Although he finished in 14th place, Higham earned invaluable experience, which will assist him in his numerous return trips.

“The sky is the limit for this kid, and I am excited to have him for another three years,” Webb said.