Pole vault champion signs with Southeastern Louisiana University
January 15, 2019
Cowley College sophomore Thais Lindemayer Gomes, a two-time NJCAA Division I national champion in the pole vault, signed a letter of intent to compete at NCAA Division I Southeastern Louisiana University.
Gomes is looking forward to the opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
"Southeastern Louisiana had everything I was looking for in a university," Gomes said. "They have my major (nutrition) and offered me a full scholarship. They also have a good (track and field) program and I like the warmer weather there."
The talented, well-liked sophomore, was named Cowley College's 2018 Female Athlete of the Year, a Student of the Month, a finalist for Queen Alalah, and has a 4.0 grade point average.
Gomes was the indoor conference and region champion in the pole vault before capturing the national championship in the pole vault at the 2018 indoor nationals. She again was the outdoor conference and region champion in the pole vault and the national champion in the pole vault at the 2018 outdoor nationals.
Her stellar 2018 indoor season helped the Lady Tiger track and field team to a conference title and a top-10 national finish, while her performance in the outdoor season helped the Lady Tigers place 10th at the NJCAA Division I Outdoor National Championships.
"Thais is one of those student-athletes that does everything they are supposed to do," Cowley head track and field coach Mark Phillips said. "She is constantly cheering on her teammates and always encouraging them."
She will join a Southeastern Louisiana University squad that competes in the Southland Conference.
"I feel Cowley has prepared me for the next level," Gomes said. "I trust all the hard work coach Phillips and I are doing will pay off."
Former Lady Tiger thrower Natalia Redondo, who competed at Cowley during the 2015 and 2016 track and field seasons, was a member of the Southeastern Louisiana University track and field team during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Thais. Southeastern Louisiana is a good school and has a good (track and field) program," Phillips said.
Phillips also said Gomes will benefit from working with Southeastern Louisiana's volunteer pole vault coach Erica Fraley, who is a former collegiate and Olympic level pole vaulter.
Along with being a member of the Tiger track and field team, Gomes is extremely active on the Cowley College campus as she serves as vice president of services for Phi Theta Kappa, president of the International Club, is a Cowley tutor, a resident assistant, and is involved in the college ministry. She has also volunteered her time with several community projects.
"I feel like I am leaving home for a second time, like when I left Brazil to come to Ark City," Gomes said.
Prior to leaving for Southeastern Louisiana, Gomes will have an opportunity to defend her indoor and outdoor pole vault titles and hopes to break Katie Gilmore's school records in the pole vault.
Gomes is looking forward to the opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
"Southeastern Louisiana had everything I was looking for in a university," Gomes said. "They have my major (nutrition) and offered me a full scholarship. They also have a good (track and field) program and I like the warmer weather there."
The talented, well-liked sophomore, was named Cowley College's 2018 Female Athlete of the Year, a Student of the Month, a finalist for Queen Alalah, and has a 4.0 grade point average.
Gomes was the indoor conference and region champion in the pole vault before capturing the national championship in the pole vault at the 2018 indoor nationals. She again was the outdoor conference and region champion in the pole vault and the national champion in the pole vault at the 2018 outdoor nationals.
Her stellar 2018 indoor season helped the Lady Tiger track and field team to a conference title and a top-10 national finish, while her performance in the outdoor season helped the Lady Tigers place 10th at the NJCAA Division I Outdoor National Championships.
"Thais is one of those student-athletes that does everything they are supposed to do," Cowley head track and field coach Mark Phillips said. "She is constantly cheering on her teammates and always encouraging them."
She will join a Southeastern Louisiana University squad that competes in the Southland Conference.
"I feel Cowley has prepared me for the next level," Gomes said. "I trust all the hard work coach Phillips and I are doing will pay off."
Former Lady Tiger thrower Natalia Redondo, who competed at Cowley during the 2015 and 2016 track and field seasons, was a member of the Southeastern Louisiana University track and field team during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Thais. Southeastern Louisiana is a good school and has a good (track and field) program," Phillips said.
Phillips also said Gomes will benefit from working with Southeastern Louisiana's volunteer pole vault coach Erica Fraley, who is a former collegiate and Olympic level pole vaulter.
Along with being a member of the Tiger track and field team, Gomes is extremely active on the Cowley College campus as she serves as vice president of services for Phi Theta Kappa, president of the International Club, is a Cowley tutor, a resident assistant, and is involved in the college ministry. She has also volunteered her time with several community projects.
"I feel like I am leaving home for a second time, like when I left Brazil to come to Ark City," Gomes said.
Prior to leaving for Southeastern Louisiana, Gomes will have an opportunity to defend her indoor and outdoor pole vault titles and hopes to break Katie Gilmore's school records in the pole vault.