Patrick Freeman

Scoreboard

App State alumnus Patrick Freeman joined the track and field staff as the pole vault coach after wrapping a decorated career in the Black and Gold.

2026 (First Year Coach)
Indoor

Lilly Nichols broke the school and Sun Belt indoor pole vault record at the Doc Hale Invitiational (Feb.6-7) with a clearance of 4.27m (14' 0")
Ava Studney won the pole vault event at the SBC Indoor Championships, with an indoor PR clearance of 4.08m (13' 4.5")
Caroline Fowkles improved her PR by 22cm (8.5"), achieving a clearance of 3.79m (12' 5.25") at the Hokie Invitational (Jan. 23-24)
Matthew Gray broke the school and tied the Sun Belt indoor pole vault record with a clearance of 5.73m (18' 9.5") at the Doc Hale Invitational (Feb. 6-7)
Matthew Gray finished 6th at the USATF Indoor Championships as the only college athlete in the field

Outdoor

Matthew Gray clears 5.84m (19' 2") to win the Sunbelt Outdoor Championships, becoming the Sun Belt all time outdoor record holder, NCAA leader, and the 11th best outdoor jump in NCAA history at the time.
Lilly Nichols placed third at the Sun Belt Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 4.03m (13' 2.5")
Coached three athletes to qualify for the NCAA East Prelims (Matthew Gray, Lilly Nichols, Ava Studney)
Matthew Gray places fifth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 5.60m (18' 4.5")
Matthew Gray places eighth at the US Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 5.62m (18' 5.25") as the youngest competitor in the field