“Although I had the opportunity to work with Coach Atanas for only two seasons, he had a profound impact on my pole-vaulting journey. His passion for the sport and extensive knowledge inspired and motivated me. In a sport where trust is essential, Coach Atanas excelled at building that bond, and our strong connection gave me the confidence to push my limits and reach heights I never thought possible. He created a lively environment where I felt comfortable challenging myself, knowing I had his full support, which allowed me to embrace mistakes and grow as a pole vaulter. I cherish the time we spent together and wish he could have been a part of my collegiate pole-vaulting career for longer. I am confident I would have continued to grow with him as my coach.”

— Jared Espanola