The start of something new
Allison discovered pole vaulting shortly after turning down gymnastics. She wasn’t sure what it was about the sport that attracted her, but she knew she had to try it.
Fortunately, the first time she leaped into the air provided her with the adrenaline rush she’d been looking for. Pole vaulting became a passion for Stokke, who eventually advanced to a professional level where she stood out from the crowd. With a national record of 12 1/2 feet, Allison won the U.S. crown at age 15.