TEMPE – Sun Devil Track and Field has added former Arizona State pole vaulter Garrett Starkey to its coaching staff as an assistant coach - pole vault, Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Ryan Vanhoy announced on Monday.
Starkey's arrival marks the return of the pole vault to the Sun Devil program after a two-season absence, as ASU last competed in the event during the 2024 outdoor season.
The return of the event brings Starkey back to Tempe after nearly a decade of coaching at Arizona Pole Vault Academy (AZPVA), where he has worked full time since 2017. A former elite vaulter himself, Starkey brings experience as a coach, performance director and athlete at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
At AZPVA, Starkey has coached athletes ranging from first-time vaulters to world-class competitors while helping develop numerous Arizona high school state champions and collegiate athletes. His coaching approach emphasizes technical fundamentals, proper progressions and individualized development. Starkey also brings an extensive background in speed, strength and conditioning program development.
The Queen Creek, Arizona, native previously represented the Sun Devils during the 2017 season. In his first ASU meet, Starkey cleared 5.18m (17-0) to finish second at the Aggie Invitational. He later produced an indoor collegiate-best clearance of 5.32m (17-5.5) at the MPSF Indoor Championships, finishing third and moving into fourth on ASU's indoor all-time list at the time. During the outdoor season, Starkey cleared 5.50m and is tied for second on ASU's outdoor all-time list.
Before competing in Tempe, Starkey began his NCAA career at Stanford, where he established himself among the top vaulters in program history. He won the 2015 Big Meet with a then-personal-best clearance of 17-3 (5.26m), advanced to the NCAA West Preliminary Round and placed eighth at the Pac-12 Championships. During the 2016 indoor season, he cleared 17-3.75 (5.28m) to finish third at the MPSF Championships and move into fourth on Stanford's all-time indoor list at the time.
Following his collegiate career, Starkey continued competing at the elite level. He placed ninth at the USA National Championships and eventually reached a personal best of 18-5 (5.61m).
Starkey's connection to the pole vault began at Arizona Pole Vault Academy under the guidance of his father, Dean Starkey. Garrett became a two-time Arizona Division I state champion, winning titles in 2011 and 2012. He cleared a high school personal best of 17-0 and also placed seventh at the 2012 U.S. Junior Championships.
Pole vault has long been a part of the Starkey family. Dean Starkey earned a bronze medal at the 1997 World Championships and recorded a career best of 19-5. He also coached the pole vault at Cal Poly. Garrett's stepmother, Jill Wittenwyler, competed at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials and later coached multi-events at South Dakota State. Together, the family operates Arizona Pole Vault Academy in Queen Creek.
Starkey earned his master's degree in Exercise Science from Arizona State after beginning his collegiate career at Stanford, where he studied human biology.
He joins the Sun Devils with nearly a decade of full-time coaching experience and extensive ties to the Arizona pole vault community as the program prepares to welcome the event back to its competition lineup.
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