College Notebook: Recognizing Nik Bertling, 3-time national qualifier and NAIA All-American pole vaulter
When Nik was just a sophomore at Bonners Ferry, he decided that he was going to try and pole vault at track and field practice one day. Little did he know, that decision would lead to a laundry list of accomplishments and a lifelong passion.
“It was halfway through the season and I just asked my coach if I could give it a try,” Bertling said. “After some grass vaulting the first day, the following day I was already clearing 10 feet over a bungee.”
From there on out, Bertling shifted his main focus from sprinting to pole vault for the rest of his high school career. He eventually was able to clear 13-6 at Timberlake and finished in second at the 3A state meet his senior year. Those marks led to Bertling receiving an offer to join the Lewis-Clark State track and field team, which he accepted.
Bertling’s first couple of seasons were hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn’t stop him from training hard. During the 2021 outdoor track and field season, Bertling vaulted the second-highest mark in Lewis-Clark program history (14-10.25) and finished seventh at the Cascade Conference Championships. He would continue to push his limits in the seasons to come, and it would pay off in a big way.
During his junior year, Bertling became the first Lewis-Clark track and field athlete to earn All-American status in the pole vault after placing sixth at outdoor nationals with a school-record mark of 15-11. Once senior year came around, Bertling did much of the same. He set a new indoor record of 15-3.75 to qualify for NAIA Indoor Nationals; he would also punch his ticket to outdoor nationals later that year.
Bertling said one of his favorite meets was the Tom Gage Classic at the University of Montana, where he qualified for the NAIA national championship on his very last attempt. At the national championship, he remembers the energy being electric and that the experience was once in a lifetime.
Overall, Bertling was a three-time national qualifier in the pole vault (two outdoor, one indoor), a two-time All-Cascade Conference athlete, and was named NAIA outdoor track and field All-American for a sixth-place finish at nationals. All of these accolades make him one of the best track and field athletes to ever compete at Lewis-Clark.
“I got my drive from being from a small town; I was not complacent,” Bertling said. “I wanted to make a difference for myself and my teammates and push to make things better no matter what. I even helped acquire a new pole vault pit for the team; I had great coaches and a great support system.”
Bertling does not plan on stopping anytime soon, recently he was teaching pole vault lessons to young athletes in Lewiston and plans on helping out at Bonners Ferry as well. Bertling has acquired a handful of poles through sponsorships and wants to help young local athletes fulfill their potential with the proper guidance and facilities. On top of that, he is staying in shape and plans on competing post-collegiately.
“During my time at Lewis-Clark, I learned a lot of things that will help me navigate difficult life circumstances and help me become a better person and coach,” Bertling said. He also added that it is important to do lots of research in order to find the right college and encourages others to not be afraid to reach out for help if they need it.
