A year ago, The Lakes Community High School girls pole vault team faced an unfamiliar reality: no state qualifiers. For a program that built its identity on consistency, the absence wasn’t just a result, it was a turning point. Now, behind the leadership of Senior Isabella Aya and Freshman standout Bryn Garnier, Lakes isn’t just recovering, it’s redefining itself.
Aya has experienced both the highs and the lows of the program, and that contrast has shaped her final season. Instead of focusing on competitors, she puts the focus on herself.
“Every competition, you end with a failure,” Aya said. “I don’t view that as a bad thing, I view it as a learning experience.”
That perspective has become crucial for Lakes’ comeback, especially for Garnier, who has already established herself as one of the top freshmen in the state.
Despite her early success, she has the same mindset as Aya when it comes to long term growth.
“The #1 rule of pole vault is relax and have fun,” Garnier says. “When I get overwhelmed, I remember that this is supposed to be fun.”
Their shared emphasis on enjoyment has created a strong friendship between the two. While pole vault is considered an individual event, Aya and Garnier have built a relationship rooted in the support of each other. Garnier sees Aya’s composure as influential.
“There has never been a day I have seen her doubt herself,” Garnier said. “She motivates me to have this same mindset.”
Aya also sees Garnier as both a teammate and motivator.
“We use our talents to push each other to be the best versions of ourselves,” Aya said.
Their balance between competition and encouragement is evident in meets. When Garnier set a personal record, Aya was the first to celebrate.
“Not all teammates are like this,” Garnier said.
That culture didn’t happen by accident. Aya credits former teammate Julia Blasinski for teaching her the importance of a good environment.
“The better environment we make for each other, the more fun we will have, and the better our results will be,” Aya said.
Now as a senior herself, she is passing this lesson on to her younger teammates. Their connection goes far beyond encouragement, it directly impacts performance. Before an indoor state meet, the two decided to stop viewing each other as rivals.
“We just wanted to encourage each other and be happy for each other’s success,” Aya said.
That shift helped them compete with both greater confidence and freedom.
As the postseason is approaching, the possibility of returning to state is real. Aya hopes both she and Garnier can qualify, calling it “the ultimate goal.” Still, both athletes define success in broader terms. Aya emphasizes “consistency,” while Garnier emphasizes improvement and enjoyment across the team. For Aya, this season is also a farewell.
“It’s a surreal feeling that this is my last season,” Aya said.
Though her career is ending, the culture she created will live on. Garnier is already preparing to carry it forward.
“I hope to lead the team the way Isabella is able to,” Garnier said.
After a year without state qualifiers, Lakes pole vault is no longer focused on what it lost. With Aya’s leadership and Garnier’s rise, the program is building something stronger, one relationship at a time.
