A real Shocker: Carlson signs with Wichita State

Aurora senior excited to continue vaulting at D1 school

Aurora senior Caden Carlson, front center, signed his letter of intent April 22 to continue his pole vaulting career at Wichita State University. Pictured with him are, front row: parents Chad and Yvonne Carlson. Back from left: siblings Ryan, Kyla and Jenna Carlson, as well as head track coach Gordon Wilson.

Caden Carlson set the bar of expectations high when considering his college options thus the opportunity to study aerospace engineering at a Division I school wanting him to showcase his talents as a pole-vaulter was a perfect fit.
The Aurora senior made it official April 22, signing his letter of commitment to wear the yellow and black uniform as a Shocker at Wichita State University.
“They have an excellent program for aerospace engineering and that’s something I’m really passionate about so that really was the big draw,” Carlson said. “That along with their beautiful campus and then just them wanting me to pole vault and do something I’m also very passionate about on the more athletic side was just amazing. So that was kind of just the cherry on top. For me it’s always been academics first, but athletics are super important to me also so I’m glad I can continue that.”
Carlson looked at a few other schools and was in fact accepted to the Air Force Academy in Colorado, but ultimately decided the combination of opportunities he found in Kansas was hard to match.

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