Bio

Flores, an Arizona native who went to local Seton Catholic Prep High School in Chandler, takes over the pole vault program after longtime coach Ralph Haynie retired  this past season. 

Flores fell in love with pole vaulting during high school and would accomplish a PR of 4.47m (14 feet 8 inches). After graduating from SCPHS, Flores would attend Scottsdale Community College, unfortunately for Flores the season he was an Artichoke was the last for the program as Track & Field would be cut the following year.

Flores made the most of his one year at Scottsdale, attending Outdoor Nationals he jumped 4.64m (15 feet 3 inches) finishing fifth and grabbing a position on the podium. 

After his time at Scottsdale Flores would make the jump to Mesa, the decision was easy for Flores as he knew the successful pole vaulting program coach Haynie had built. Under coach Haynie Flores would flourish as finishing third in the event at the 2014 Indoor Track & Field National Championships (4.75m - 15 feet 7 inches).

A third place finish would not be the peak for Flores as during the outdoor season that year he would become the DI Men's Outdoor Pole Vault National Champion, earning a mark of 4.85m (15 feet 11 inches) to take home the hardware. 

After his success as a T-Bird Flores would attend Arizona State University where he would continue to improve his PR in the event topping out at 5.05m (16 feet 7 inches).

Flores, a JUCO product as an athlete and now JUCO coach, understands the importance of the community college route that many look down upon at times.

"I think the community college route is very positive for everyone, no matter what you're looking for whether it's athletics or schooling and it can really help set you up for the future," said Flores.

With how prestigious the pole vault program has been, Flores understands not only the importance to continue that success but the work it will require to do so. 

"It's all about looking at this task from a smaller scope, looking at training, working with athletes one on one, seeing how everyone is different and see what they need individually, so just breaking down this large task and breaking it down to its roots," said Flores.