Meet T&F athlete, recent Fort Loramie graduate Gavin Kemper
FORT LORAMIE, Ohio. — A member of the Class of 2022, Gavin Kemper is one of the most accomplished athletes in our area. His impressive track career is well-known in the surrounding communities and is one we are honored to highlight in this issue of our magazine. From breaking records, to state appearances, Gavin exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated athlete.
Gavin first became interested in trying pole vault in the 7th grade. After a friend convinced him to attend an indoor practice during the winter, he immediately knew that this was what he wanted to do. He remembers looking up to the older vaulters and claiming he 鈥渇ell in love with it at that first practice.鈥� Thus, Gavin鈥檚 pole vaulting career began.
He quickly found his stride and secured the junior high school record for pole vault. He also ran hurdles鈥揳n event he would continue competing in throughout his high school career. Gavin had a very successful debut high school season, winning the county championship as a freshman for pole vault. Unfortunately, his sophomore season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He went into his junior season, fresh out of recovery from a torn meniscus as the result of a basketball injury. However, Gavin wasted no time and broke the high school record with a height of 14鈥�5鈥�. He went on to break the record two more times that season, his highest jump being 15鈥�2鈥�. This jump awarded him the title of regional champion and he broke the regional record. He qualified for state in both pole vault and the 110m hurdles. His junior season ended in a 4th place finish at state for pole vault, winning the 3rd most points for his team, and being awarded county champion in both pole vault and the 110m hurdles.
Gavin hit the ground running his senior season after working for many hours with college coaches and personal trainers. He broke the school record and the Fort Loramie Stadium record with a height of 15鈥�4鈥�. His jump of 15鈥� broke the Minster Memorial Invationational record and with a jump of 15鈥�7鈥� at the next meet, he smashed the Milton Union Bulldog Classic Meet record, as well as another high school record. He won the pole vault, the 110m hurdles, and the 300m hurdles and got second place in the long jump at the county meet. At districts, he won the pole vault and the 110m hurdles. He was crowned regional champion and broke the school record with a jump of 15鈥�9鈥�. To cap off his senior season, Gavin got state runner-up and earned the most points for his team. He competed at the National Competition in North Carolina in June.
When asked what his favorite thing about pole vault is, Gavin explains that he loves 鈥渉ow intricate it is.鈥� He describes how there are many components that go into a single vault鈥揳ll of it taking place in about 5 seconds.
鈥淚t all has to line up perfectly,鈥� Gavin says.
In addition, he explains that he enjoys the fact that he always has the opportunity to improve.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so much to pole vault that I don鈥檛 know.鈥� He says. 鈥淚 know that I can get much better as I learn more and more about it and keep perfecting my jump.鈥�
Gavin takes the same adventurous spirit he exhibits while pole vaulting and uses it to fill his free time. He enjoys being outdoors and loves to spend time hunting, fishing, doing water sports, and traveling with his family.
Gavin also enjoys playing music and knows how to play 6 different instruments. He was a percussionist in the Fort Loramie High School Marching Band and frequently played gigs with one of his classmates, Anna Detrick. He鈥檚 enjoyed getting out of his comfort zone by playing these gigs and performing in front of a crowd.
As Gavin reflects on the past 6 years of his track career, he recalls the best advice he鈥檚 received: to always have fun. He鈥檚 learned that relaxing and enjoying himself is the key to doing his best. Through all of the challenges and victories, Gavin has found that it鈥檚 best to 鈥渏ust enjoy the ride.鈥�
His advice for underclassmen is to take advantage of any opportunity that arises鈥� even if it takes you out of your comfort zone.
鈥淲hen I started pole vaulting in the 7th grade, I would have never thought that I would be vaulting for a Division 1 team in college in addition to getting to join the military as an officer,鈥� Gavin says.
He knows the value of stepping outside his comfort zone and encourages others to do the same.
The nineteen-year-old has already had an incredible athletic career鈥搊ne he will be continuing at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he will be majoring in Environmental Science. He is scheduled to leave for boot camp at the end of June鈥搕he first step towards his next chapter.
No matter where he goes, we know that Gavin will do great things. It鈥檚 evident in everything he does, from athletics and beyond. Our community is extremely proud of Gavin and can鈥檛 wait to see what he accomplishes in the future.
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