For a lot of determined souls, age is just a number. The world of sports often witnesses such stories where athletes defy age and conquer milestones. When 82-year-old Don Isett walks into his local pole vault gym in Texas, teenagers can’t help but be intrigued and surprised. Their first thought is that he must be someone’s grandfather, but as they soon discover, he is so much more than that.

In fact, Don Isett is not just a pole vaulter; he is USA’s best pole vaulter in his age group. And in fairness, he’s pretty much the only pole vaulter in his age group, too. After enjoying a successful high school career in pole vault, Isett picked up the sport again five decades later, when he was 66. Not only does he participate in events, but is also a world record-setter.

Don Isett’s pole vaulting skills

Don Isett’s passion for the sport is infectious. He maintains that, for him, pole vaulting is like going back to high school. Only this time, instead of textbooks, Isett has to study the physics of gravitational potential energy and pain management. Pole vaulting at his age is no walk in the park, but he firmly believes that the exhilaration of clearing a bar makes it all worth it. And clear bars, he does!

Last year, at a meet, Isett achieved the seemingly impossible. He cleared an impressive 9 feet, 1 inch, making history as the first octogenarian to do so. But Isett is far from done. He revealed that he has no plans of slowing down. Setting records is not just a hobby; it’s a passion that fuels him.

He intends to stay fit and continue pole vaulting until he’s 6 feet under. While talking about Isett, young pole vaulters said, “What he does is absolutely insane.” But last year wasn’t Isett’s first time setting a world record. Back in 2016, Isett participated at the Lovejoy Texas Express Holiday Invitational Indoor Pole Vault meet. As usual, the then 77-year-old wowed the crowd by clearing an impressive 10’6″ and ended up breaking two records. Not only did Isett break the age group world record, but he also ended up shattering the American Masters Indoor Track & Field Record.

He already held the previous record at 9’6.5″, which he set when he was 75 years old in Winston-Salem, NC. Outdoor records? He’s got those too! Isett’s outdoor record of 10’6″ was set on May 31st, 2014, at the USATF Southwestern Association Championships in Dallas, TX. Isett continues to impress even Olympic pole vaulters and he is evidence that people his age still have the capability to set world records.

Dr. William Bell’s 2012 pole vault world record

Back in 2012, Dr. William Bell, a 90-year-old pole vaulter, soared to new heights and set a pole vault world record. He gracefully glided through the air, clearing a height of 7 feet 2 inches. Dr. Bell’s astonishing achievement etched his name in history, becoming the benchmark for pole vaulters aged 90 to 94. He also held other records in pole vaulting for age groups 75 to 79, 80 to 84, and 85 to 89.

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Dr. Bell used to train at the same facility where his son, Earl Bell, a former Olympian and bronze medalist in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, coached some of the world’s best pole vaulters. However, Dr. Bell passed away in 2020 leaving his fans to ponder over his legacy.

Don Isett, affectionately known as Big Don, is a testament to the power of determination, passion, and defying limits. His journey inspires not only his fellow athletes but people of all ages, reminding us that it’s never too late to pursue our dreams.

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