Riley Felts, a graduate student-athlete at Charlotte and the 49ers' indoor and outdoor record holder in the women's pole vault along with the reigning NCAA Division 1 runner-up with a lifetime-best 14-9 (4.50m), joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing April 20 at the South Carolina Outdoor Open ahead of her final career home meet April 26-27 at the Charlotte Invitational. Felts explains how proud she is of the consistency of producing 14-foot clearances during all nine indoor meets this year, in addition to four more 14-foot performances already during the spring outdoor season. She examines the multiple opportunities to achieve a 15-foot clearance during the past year and how she remains optimistic that moment will materialize before Felts concludes her collegiate career. Felts expresses gratitude for the unwavering support of Charlotte coach Bob Olesen, especially during a career that has featured multiple injuries and an extended pause as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also highlights how instrumental her parents have been with their energy and appreciation during meets. Felts analyzes how her patience, perseverance and resilience have been rewarded during her time at Charlotte, and how she wants to be able to mentor and guide younger athletes as a member of the 49ers' coaching staff in the coming years. She reflects on how valuable the experiences have been in competing at both Division 1 indoor and outdoor championships meets, and learning how significant it is to manage energy and efficiency, along with demonstrating mental toughness and endurance. Felts speaks about her pursuit of clearing 15-1 (4.60m) to achieve the U.S. Olympic Trials standard, in addition to her ambition to compete professionally while also working for an engineering firm after earning her bachelor's degree in civil engineering and her Master's degree in geoenvironmental engineering. She also discusses how the NCAA Division 1 East Regional meet, held this season in Lexington, Ky., is the most emotional competition of the year, and how much Felts is looking forward to qualifying to compete at Hayward Field for not only the NCAA outdoor final, but also the U.S. Olympic Trials, both held in Oregon.