About the Coach
Josh Dangel
Josh was born in 1991 to Tom and Peggy Dangel and was welcomed to the family by his 9 older siblings. His family taught him the importance of hardwork and dedication which he carried on through his Vaulting career.
High School (2006-2009)
Josh Dangel was introduced to the sport of Pole Vaulting by his older brothers when he was still young. Josh watched 4 of his older brothers compete at La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio where he would eventually follow in their footsteps. Upon reaching La Salle, Josh met Mike Albrinck and Toby Dirr who would go on to coach him through his high school years. In 2009, Josh's Senior year, he had set the goal of reaching the State Championship Meet and breaking the La Salle school record (15'1") set by his former teammate, Patrick Tenbrink in 2006. Thanks to the great coaching from Coaches Albrinck and Dirr, Josh was able to accomplish both of those goals, as well as finishing Runner-up at the State Championship by jumping 15'6" at the State Meet.
College (2010-2014)
After La Salle, Josh set his focus on a new mountain to climb. In 2010, Josh joined the Track and Field team at the University of Cincinnati as a walk on. His goal was to break the University of Cincinnati school record (17'9.75"), which was held by his high school coach Mike Albrinck. While at UC, Josh was coached and mentored by Kris Mack. With the help of Coach Mack, Josh went on to claim the 2013 Big East Pole Vault title as well as finishing 7th at the 2013 NCAA Championships becoming a 1st team All-American. In 2014, during his final home meet at Gettler Stadium, Josh finally claimed the school record with a jump of 17'10.25".
Post Collegate
Upon Graduating, Josh spent the 2014-2015 season training in Cincinnati where he achieved his lifetime best of 18' and competed at the 2015 USA Indoor Championships. After the 2015 season, Josh moved out to San Diego, CA to continue training with Coach Mack at the US Olympic Training Center for a year in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Trials. Although his 2016 Olympic run was unsuccessful, he gained knowlege and experience from his time out West.
Coaching
During his college years, Josh gained experience coaching during the UC Summer and Winter Camps where his passion for coaching began to burn. he worked with many high school athletes during those years and helped them improve and even earn scholarships to universities.
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In 2017, Josh returned home to Cincinnati with a new mission, to coach the youth in Cincinnati. He founded Queen City Vault Academy and during the 2018 Indoor season he helped two athletes qualify for the OHSAA Indoor State Meet. The outdoor season produced multiple confrence champions, school records, and a district champions.
In 2019 QCVA saw two more athletes compete at the indoor state meet. The outdoor season again produced school records, confrence champs, and district champs.
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2020 Indoor season had multiple school records, new club records, the largest group of state qualifiers (7 athletes), 1 state placer on the girls side, and QCVA's first State Champion on the boys side (Jed Sisco).
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The 2021 season followed the success of the 2020 season and resulted in 2 State Champions, Paul Signorelli (OH) and Lauren Kent (KY). Both of those individuals went on to break the respective QCVA Club HS records (Paul - 17'.5") (Lauren 12'1").
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In 2022 QCVA sent 7 athletes to Indoor State championships, and 5 to Outdoor State Championships and claimed 2 more state Championship Titles, Claire Iaciofano (OH MS) and Lauren Kent (KY). This year was the most successful trip to state meets, claiming 6 podium spots accross both Indoor and Outdoor. 6 more club records fell that year:
Addi Hamilton - Girls DII (11'8")
Henry Hoblitzell - Boys Junior (14'8")
Addi Hamilton - Girls Sophomore (11'8")
Grant Harrison - Boys Freshman (13')
Tyler Yoxthimer - Boys 8th Grade (10'4")
Claire Iaciofano - Girls 8th Grade (10')
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2023 built upon the success of the prior years by sending 10 athletes to Indoor State (OH & KY) with 5 podium finishes, and 15 athletes to Outdoor State (OH & KY) with 9 Podium finishes. As far as records go, plenty more fell again this year (7 total).
Grant Harrison - Boys DII (15'8)
Noah Everett - Boys DIII (11'6")
Jason Deem - Boys Junior (15'8")
Grant Harrison - Boys Sophomore (15'8")
Claire Iaciofano - Girls Freshman (11'6")
Luke Schnieber - Boys 8th Grade (12')
Shannon Main - Girls 8th Grade (10'8")