Andrew Nuyen clears the bar at the IHSA state meet. Photo by Dani Bivins.
A few weeks after graduating from Rochelle Township High School, Andrew Nuyen was back on the runway — this time competing unattached.
Nuyen closed his high school career on May 30, 2026, at the IHSA Class 2A state finals in Charleston. The senior cleared 17-6.5 (5.35 meters) and placed second, setting a Class 2A record and the Rochelle school record. Shaw Local described the vault as a state-record performance. He finished his time as a Hub as a three-time state medalist.
Before he left high school, he already had a summer meet in mind. Shaw Local reported that Nuyen planned to go to North Dakota for The Ark, a downtown street vault in Grand Forks against other top national vaulters. He did just that, entered as an independent because he had just graduated and had not yet started college.
On Saturday, July 11, Nuyen won the Elite Men division at The Ark - Street Vault, clearing 17-5.5 (5.32 meters). It was only an inch under the height he reached at the state meet.
The state finals were held at Eastern Illinois University. Nuyen committed to South Florida in March and is now a freshman pole vaulter there, majoring in mechanical engineering. The University of South Florida athletics bio lists him as a three-time state medalist. For Rochelle fans who watched him work his way to 17 feet, the summer win was one more sign of how far he has come, and a first look at what may be ahead in Tampa.
HUBS TRACK