Nick Jones
Nick Jones brings over a decade of collegiate coaching experience, a national-level competitive background, and deep technical expertise in pole vault to the Next Step Vault Club. A former NCAA Division I pole vaulter at SUNY Albany, Nick has built a strong reputation for developing high-level athletes, leading successful programs, and fostering technical excellence.
As a high school athlete, Nick was a standout pole vaulter who set the New York State freshman indoor record at 13'6". He went on to win prestigious meets such as the Yale Invitational and W.F. Eddy Meet, ultimately reaching a personal best of 15' in the pole vault.
Nick continued his athletic career at UAlbany, competing in the pole vault for four years before graduating in 2008 with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, helping guide America East champions and recruiting future All-Americans in the vault. During this time, Nick assisted in coaching standout vaulters Luke Schoen and Mike Dempsey, who achieved personal bests of 5.41m (17'09") and 4.90m (16'2.75"), respectively. He also worked with Celine Cauderlier, who set a women’s pole vault outdoor school record at 3.55m (11'7.75").
From 2011 to 2021, Nick served as Head Track & Field Coach at SUNY Plattsburgh, mentoring seven All-Americans, 32 NCAA qualifiers, and 51 conference champions while overseeing 42 school records. His leadership extended to Russell Sage College—where his athletes earned Rookie of the Year honors and claimed the program’s first Empire 8 Conference Championship—and later to NCAA Division II Saint Rose, where he led both cross country and track & field programs.
Nick has remained closely tied to the pole vault throughout his coaching career. While volunteering at RPI, he helped James Zeolla earn All-American honors with a fourth-place finish at the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships; James’s best vault that year was 5.00m (16'4.75"). Earlier in his coaching journey, Nick also coached at Shenendehowa High School, where he helped guide Suburban Council and Sectional champions, as well as the 2010 Nike Indoor Nationals Girls Pentathlon bronze medalist.
Nick holds multiple certifications from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), including Sprint, Hurdle, and Relay Event Specialist, Sport Psychology for the Track & Field Coach, and Advanced Strength & Conditioning Specialist.
At Next Step Vault Club, Nick focuses on individualized pole vault development, combining technical precision, biomechanics, and mental training. His coaching philosophy centers on maximizing each athlete’s potential through smart progression, confidence-building, and a supportive athlete-coach relationship.
Dustin Meyer
Dustin Meyer brings over a decade of pole vaulting experience, national-level performance, and technical precision to the coaching team at Next Step Vault Club. A standout collegiate athlete, Dustin earned runner-up honors at the 2023 NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships, finishing the season ranked No. 2 in the nation.
Competing for SUNY Brockport, he delivered an exceptional performance at the national meet, clearing 4.95 meters (16'2.75") on his first attempt—just shy of the national title and narrowly missing a facility record. His ability to rise to the occasion and progress steadily throughout his career reflects the mindset he now brings to his coaching: calm, focused, and results-driven.
Dustin's personal best of 5.10 meters (16'8.75") is a testament to his technical skill and dedication to the sport. His journey through elite Division III competition has given him valuable insight into the mental and physical demands of pole vaulting. He understands what it takes to climb the ranks and is passionate about helping athletes do the same—from first-time vaulters to seasoned competitors striving for new heights.
At Next Step Vault Club, Dustin specializes in individualized technical development, biomechanics, and competitive strategy. His coaching philosophy focuses on building confidence, enhancing consistency, and unlocking every athlete’s full potential.
Dan Reynolds
Dan Reynolds brings over a decade of elite-level experience and a lifelong passion for pole vaulting to his coaching. A former standout vaulter himself, Dan has competed at the junior college, NCAA Division I, and post-collegiate levels, achieving a personal best of 5.08 meters (16 feet 8 inches) after college.
His pole vault journey began at Wayland-Cohocton High School, where he competed in the 2007 New York State Championship and set school records of 14'1" indoors and 14'0" outdoors. Dan went on to excel at Alfred State, where he won the 2009 NJCAA Indoor Championship with a clearance of 4.72 meters (15'5.75") and finished as the runner-up at the outdoor championship. That same year, he earned Second-Team All-American honors and was named a First-Team All-Region selection.
Dan continued his collegiate career at the University at Buffalo, becoming a school record holder in pole vault and a four-time Mid-American Conference (MAC) qualifier. His dedication to post-collegiate training led to a lifetime best of 5.08 meters (16'8"), reflecting his technical expertise and competitive drive.
Dan has served as an assistant coach for men's and women’s track and field at St. John Fisher University, specializing in pole vault. He is currently the pole vault coach at SUNY Geneseo. His coaching philosophy focuses on building strong technical foundations, developing confidence, and helping athletes reach their full potential—regardless of experience level.
Whether you're new to pole vaulting or striving to elevate your performance, Dan Reynolds offers the knowledge, experience, and passion to help you soar to new heights.
Alexander Curran
Founded in 2017, Next Step Vault Club is recognized by USATF started in Geneseo, NY, now located in Rochester, NY. Founder and head coach, Alex Curran discovered his love for pole vault through the stories of his father, Michael Curran, former pole vaulter at LaCrosse Wisconsin.
It was not long before Coach Curran was getting into the swing of things during high school.
While only achieving 13ft during his time at Williamson Senior High school, he went on to compete for Alfred State College and SUNY Geneseo.
While at Alfred State, Coach Curran went on to be a two time all-American.
He won the 2008 NJCAA national title.
Today, Coach Curran continues to live out his passion for pole vault through coaching at SUNY Brockport and Next Step Vault Club. After spending 7 years coaching at Geneseo, he has transformed the Vault program, besting both the Men’s and women’s school records! His coaching continues to shape many vaulter’s path to success.