Returning to Hayward Field for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, the stadium where she won her High School state title in 1997, Bartolina qualified for her first Olympic Team, setting her personal best three times along the way to a third place finish .In 2005, after setting several personal bests with her husband as her coach, she took a fall and broke two vertebrae in her back. Erica won two Big 12 titles while at Texas A&M, and was also the first female pole vaulter at Texas A&M. In high school, Erica won one state title as a junior in 1997 and was in the top three all four years. Erica began vaulting at the age of 14, with the advice of her high school track coach, former world record holder Dennis Phillips.
Athletic Achievements
2008: 3rd at Olympic Trials
2007: 12th at USA Outdoors (4.20m/13-9.25)...5th at USA Indoors
2005: 4th at USA Indoors
Still holds the Texas A&M school record at 4.06m (13’3.75”)
