How Michigan’s Kourtney Rathke Balances Pole Vault and Engineering | Hail To Her

About this episode

Kourtney Rathke discusses her experiences as a Michigan pole vaulter and engineering student.

Michigan pole vaulter Kourtney Rathke joins Hail To Her to break down one of college sports’ most unique events, life as a Wolverine, and balancing Division I athletics with an engineering degree. From growing up in Boulder, Colorado to competing in the Big Ten and chasing NCAA postseason goals, Kourtney shares what pole vault actually feels like, how Michigan supports student-athletes, the mental side of competition, and her experience with NIL.Chapters:0:00 – Meet Kourtney Rathke1:32 – Growing up in Boulder & finding track2:14 – How pole vault works explained3:39 – Training, lifting & gymnastics crossover4:40 – The mental side while in the air5:47 – Why she chose Michigan6:16 – How track recruiting works7:04 – Adding long jump in college8:47 – Michigan track practice behind the scenes9:32 – Big Ten postseason update11:31 – Balancing engineering + athletics14:06 – Impostor syndrome in college sports15:06 – Goals for the rest of her career15:52 – NIL deals and athlete branding18:21 – Final thoughts Learn more about our partnership with Champions Circle: https://www.collegesportsco.com/news/champions-circle-and-college-sports-co-launch-champ-mediaFOLLOW CHAMP MEDIA HERE:►…

People in this episode

Host: Hail To Her

Guest: Kourtney Rathke

Topics covered

• pole vault
• engineering
• Division I athletics
• NIL deals
• mental health
• Big Ten sports

Keywords

• pole vault
• engineering
• NIL
• Big Ten
• athletics
• mental health
• student-athlete

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Michigan, Big Ten, Champions Circle, College Sports Company

Places: Boulder, Colorado

More episodes of Champ Media

• Grace Harbaugh on Women in Sports, Michigan & the Harbaugh Legacy | Hail to Her · June 11, 2026 · 46 min
• He Grew Up in Ohio… Then Michigan Offered Him His Dream | Hail to Her · May 28, 2026 · 32 min
• Top Track Athlete, Double Major & Future Lawyer… Gabi Newman’s Story | A2 · May 26, 2026 · 33 min
• Luke Shannehan & Adam Udell Want to Make Michigan Lacrosse Elite | The LAB · May 21, 2026 · 28 min
• Lacrosse Player Nick Voultos Explains Big Ten Grit, NIL Deals & Beating Ohio State | The LAB · May 15, 2026 · 30 min
• Jordan Hobbs on the WNBA, Michigan, NIL & Italy | Hail to Her · May 15, 2026 · 34 min