The circuitous collegiate pole vault career of Ashland University graduate
Brayden Jackson will come to an end in the right spot – Emporia, Kan., home of the 2026 NCAA Division II outdoor track and field Championships.
"This the last ride, so I'm excited," Jackson said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity, and just ready to make the most of it, go out and do what I am capable of doing.
"The field's strong, but I'd be lying if I didn't think I was one of the guys who could end up on top. My focus going into it is God's given me the opportunity, He's brought me to this point. I know what I'm capable of."
Jackson will compete on Saturday (May 23) at 3 p.m. in one of the final events of the three-day meet. He is seeking to join the likes of
Clark Lozier (1994),
Dan Tierney (2009), and eventual Olympic gold medalist
Katie Nageotte Moon (2013, indoors and outdoors) as Eagle pole vault national champions.
Outdoor nationals will be a full-circle culmination for Jackson, who started as an Eagle as a freshman coming from nearby Lucas High School, working with AU assistant coach
Denny Steele prior to transferring to NCAA Division I Kentucky for two seasons.
"Originally, I had come on a visit. I talked to coach Steele. I liked the program that he had in place," Jackson said. "I thought it was somewhere where I saw myself succeeding and growing, which is what happened. I'm glad I made that decision.
"I love Denny. Obviously, this year, we've continued to have success together. I think we're a good fit for one another. He keeps me hungry."
Jackson said he was in a place after his freshman year that he needed different things to continue his success, so he joined the Wildcats.
"I was able to go there and see what it takes to get to the next level," he said. "I think that's why I've had a lot of success now."
The decision to return to Ashland was, in his words, complicated.
"Originally, I wasn't even going to use up my last year this year. I was going to take a gap year," Jackson said. "I was training with Denny, and things were going great. We were seeing progress in my vault…so I decided to pull the trigger.
"It's worked out well."
Comparing Division II to Division I, Jackson said, "I think some of the strengths (of D-II) are, I feel like there's more of a team environment. Here, I feel like I have more of a connection with my teammates and coaches. It feels more like a family."
In his first D-II Championship experience back at Ashland – 2026 indoors in Virginia Beach, Va., in March – Jackson placed fourth at 5.16 meters/16-feet-11.
At outdoor nationals, Jackson will be joined by sophomore
Carter Smith – giving the Eagles two shots at men's pole vault All-Americans.
"The whole year, I've been training alongside the guys, just the whole pole vault group has been great," said Jackson. "I went to Kentucky and I was taken under the wing of better vaulters. I feel like I've come back and been able to do that for others.
"That's definitely a great joy of mine, is being able to take them under my wing and kind of work with them and help them develop. Carter's had a great season. I'm excited to be able to compete with him for a chance at a national title."
Jackson's Christian faith has been key for him during all of the stops of his collegiate pole vault journey.
"There's a lot of uncertainty. There's a lot of hard decisions to be made," he said. "And when it comes to that point, I make a decision, and if I sit there and I am anxious about it or if I am worried about it, I feel like I'm going to lose sight of what God has for me.
"I've got to trust God through the whole process, and that's kind of what I've done. And it's worked out great for me. I have no doubt that God has me exactly where He wants me to be."
