Before he ever flew over a bar, Kobe Babin was just a kid trying out for track at Destin Middle School, mostly hoping to avoid running the 400 meter run. After a faceplant over the hurdles and a short stint with discus, he gave pole vaulting a try. That moment of curiosity would spark a passion that’s taken him around the country and is about to take him around the world. 

Today, Kobe is one of the top-ranked pole vaulters in the U.S., a three-time AAC Conference Champion, the 2025 NCAA D1 National Runner-Up, and First Team All-American, with a personal best of 18’6¾”. He holds the indoor and outdoor pole vault record at the University of South Florida, and he’s far from stopping. This summer, he’ll take his first step into the world of professional athletics with a pro athlete tour across Europe—his sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. 

Kobe’s dream of competing at the D1 level began in his early teens. After graduating from Niceville High School, he was recruited to USF—just as the pandemic hit. His high school senior season was cancelled and his pole vault career left in limbo. 

“[USF] still believed in me even when I hadn’t had the chance to prove myself,” Kobe says. “And once I got to college, I struggled. I wasn’t performing well. I questioned if I belonged.” 

But he kept showing up. 

Four years later, in his final collegiate season, Kobe finally earned a spot at the 2025 NCAA National Championship. Only the top 16 vaulters in the country are invited. Kobe was seeded 16th— he was the underdog. 

Then, he shocked the field by delivering not just one, but two personal records at the meet—something incredibly rare at that level. 

“The moment I cleared 5.66 meters (18’6¾”) on my first attempt, I knew I was in for something special,” he says. That jump put him in the lead. Eventually, one other competitor edged past him, but Kobe walked away with 2nd place in the nation and a performance he’ll never forget. 

Pole vaulting is one of the most physically and mentally demanding events in track and field. Unlike major team sports, it doesn’t come with a paycheck—only what athletes can earn through sponsorships, prize money, and support from their communities. 

“Most people don’t realize it, but training for this is a full-time job,” Kobe explains. “I’m at it six hours a day, five days a week. Now that I’ve graduated, I have to pay for everything—travel, equipment, meet entries, coaching.” 

He recently landed his first sponsor—European Exotic Center, based in Tampa—but needs additional support to make his European tour a reality. 

“When people support me, they’re not just helping me compete,” he says. “They’re part of the journey. They’re helping a kid from their own neighborhood chase a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the Olympics.” 

Kobe credits much of his success to the people who believed in him along the way—coaches Daniel Ryland, Caleb Phillips, Don Marsh, and Craig Dickinson, along with the friends and family who’ve been there from the start. 

“My mom and dad have been at every single meet, no matter what,” he says. “And my coaches? They each brought something different that helped shape me—not just as an athlete, but as a person.” 

Now, as he enters the pro circuit, he’s hoping to carry that support with him on a bigger stage. 

If you’ve ever seen someone chase a dream with everything they’ve got, you know how powerful that is. Kobe’s goal isn’t just personal—it’s about showing what’s possible when talent, discipline, and community come together. 

If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring Kobe or following his journey, you can reach him directly at kobepolevaulter@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram at @kobe_babin. 

To contribute to his European tour, visit his GoFundMe page (https://gofund.me/5bc6db96) or scan the QR code included in this article. 

Let’s send one of our own to the Olympics—and be part of something extraordinary.