Ethan Gardner

Photo by: Trevor Cokley

Class:
Senior
Events:
Pole Vault
Hometown:
Butler, Mo.
Height:
6-1
High School:
Butler
Squadron:
23 Barnstormers

JUNIOR YEAR | 2020-21: NCAA Qualifier in the pole vault…claimed all-conference honors after finishing third at the Mountain West Outdoor Championships (16’7¼”)…registered an outdoor-best clearance of 16’10¾” during a winning performance at the Aztec Invitational…matched that height at the NCAA West Preliminary…added top-three finishes at the Jerry Quiller Classic (second) and West Coast Relays (third)…cleared a personal-best indoor height of 16’8¾” to finish fifth at the Championships at the Peak meet…added a top-three finish at the Wyoming Power Meet…academic all-conference selection…named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2019-20: Placed third in the pole vault at the Mountain West Indoor Championships after matching career-best clearance of 16’2¾”...all-conference honoree...helped Air Force to a sweep of the podium finishes in that event...first recorded that clearance at the Air Force Collegiate Open...also surpassed the 16-foot bar at the Air Force Invitational and Air Force Team Challenge (16’0¾” in both)...competed in first collegiate heptathlon at the conference meet, finishing fifth...academic all-conference selection.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2018-19: Competed in the pole vault during 13 meets (seven indoor, six outdoor)...registered a career-best clearance of 15’11¼” to tie for fifth at the Colorado Invitational...recorded an indoor-best clearance of 15’7” during a sixth-place finish at the Air Force Open...earned a pair of top-three finishes, finishing third at the Jerry Quiller Classic (15’7”, outdoors) and Potts Invitational (14’11”, indoors)...academic all-conference selection.

HIGH SCHOOL: Butler High School...two-time Missouri state champion in the pole vault...posted a personal-best clearance of 16’3”...four-time medalist at the state championships...earned USATF Junior Olympic All-American honors after finishing fifth at the 2017 championship...also played football...two-year varsity letterwinner...attended the Missouri Scholars Academy...two-time participant at the Technology Students Association (TSA) state championships...served as class secretary (sophomore year), class treasurer (junior year) and class representative (senior year)...valedictorian.

PERSONAL: Full name is George Ethan Gardner...goes by Ethan...nickname is “E.G.”...son of Glenn and Nadja Gardner...has two sisters (one older, one younger)...majoring in mechanical engineering, with a focus on dynamics...future plans include becoming a RPA pilot or mechanical engineer...currently serving as Assistant Force Support Officer...named to the Dean’s List during all six semesters...hobbies include remote-controlled airplanes, off-roading, exploring Colorado, snowboarding, skiing and working on cars...plays the cello...worked the Interpersonal Leadership Training (ILT) and completed the Academy’s Powered Flight program over the summer…also did a “little bit of pole vaulting” and took a float trip down in southern Missouri…would like to add “we need more pole vaulters from Minnesota”...member of Cadet Squadron 23.