Hempfield grad Bridget Williams reaches new heights by qualifying for Olympics in pole vault

When Bridget (Guy) Williams first started to pole vault in seventh grade in the Hempfield Area School District, she always dreamed big.

Williams went on to help the Hempfield girls win consecutive PIAA team titles, and she won the Class 3A pole vault title with a jump of 12 feet, 6 inches her senior season in 2014.

She also was the lead runner on the winning 400-meter relay team that won consecutive PIAA titles.

Her teammates were Maddie Holmberg, Gabby Holmberg, Lauren George and Jasmine Jones.

Williams’ dedication, determination and hard work pushed her to be great, and now she’s achieved her biggest feat, winning the pole vault at the United States Women’s Olympic trials Sunday in Eugene, Ore., and earning a spot on the Olympic team and a trip to Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11.

“It’s been a whirlwind of a few days,” Williams said. “It’s part of a dream, but there are bigger things ahead other the Paris.

“Everyone wants to win a gold medal, but there is going to be a lot more opportunities for me to jump even higher.”

Williams won the pole vault by clearing 4.73 meters (15-6 1/4), which tied a personal record. Her best indoor vault was achieved in February when she cleared 4.83 (15-10).

She previously won the pole vault at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. She also competed in the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest. She qualified for the finals.

Melissa White, Williams coach in middle school and again during her senior season, said she knew Williams had greatness in her.

“I said she is going to do some amazing things,” White said. “She did what it took. When other athletes would complain about workouts, Bridget pushed on.

“There is something different about her, and I feel so blessed that I was a small part of her journey. I still show videos of her to my vaulters. I believe she will get 16 feet someday.”

Hempfield track coach Ron Colland said he texted Williams after she won to congratulate her.

“The sky is the limit for her,” Colland said. “Her perseverance has paid off. She has lofty goals. It’s going to be great for the Hempfield Area track and field team to have an Olympian.”

When Williams cleared 4.73, she knew she made the team but did not know she was the winner until after Katie Moon missed at 4.83.

Williams, 28, actually missed her three attempts at 15-8 1/4, but Moon, who passed and went to 15-10, also missed a 15-2 1/4. Williams was a perfect 5-for-5 before her misses. Moon and Brynn King will round out Team USA.

Williams stunned the crowd by becoming the first vaulter other than Sandi Morris or Moon since 2019 to win the title.

“My emotions were all over the place when I realized I made the team,” Williams said. “It was really hard to focus.

“I wasn’t thinking about winning, my focus was making the team. I had a good feeling I could do it.”

Williams majored in French at Virginia. She said now she can put that degree to work.

“I’m in good physical shape, and I feel good,” Williams said. “Now I’m going home, recharge and get ready for the trip.”