Still soaring
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Melanie (Buczko) Lincoln is used to soaring over things.
At Butler High, the 2003 graduate switched from gymnastics to the pole vault and finished second at the PIAA Track and Field Championships in that event during her senior season.
She moved on to Bucknell University and became arguably the best women's pole vaulter in school and Patriot League history, winning three indoor league championships and two outdoor titles during her four years there.
These days, Lincoln sometimes soars over job sites in a boom crane as an assistant project manager for Hunt Construction Group, which is in the middle of a large renovation project at Arizona State University's football stadium.
“It's been really cool,” Lincoln said. “The timeline has been tough. It's been stressful.”
But that's just how Lincoln likes it.
She performed her best in the most stressful situations with two top-15 finishes in the pole vault at the NCAA Division I championships during her career at Bucknell.
Bucknell also won four conference titles during Lincoln's time as a Bison.
Last month, Lincoln was named to the Patriot League Women's Track and Field 25th Anniversary Team.
“My fondest memories are probably just of my teammates and the team itself,” Lincoln said. “Our team was the first to win a Patriot League championship and we won all four years. That was awesome to be on a team like that. The camaraderie and the people were all amazing. It was an honor to be on a team like that.”
Lincoln also feels honored to be recognized by the conference on its 25th anniversary team.
Lincoln joined 21 other women track and field athletes on the team that was voted on by conference schools.
Bucknell had five athletes on the team — the most of any school.
“It was a really nice surprise,” Lincoln said. “I was just a little bit shocked. I didn't realize something like this was coming my way. It was great to see so many other Bucknell athletes, a few of them I competed with.”
Lincoln, who just turned 30, has also dabbled in coaching.
Her husband, Matt, coaches cross country at nearby Chandler High School. Melanie Lincoln volunteered as a pole vault coach in the spring for the school.
“It was very hard with my work schedule and I won't be able to do it this spring,” Lincoln said. “It was a great experience to help kids out and it was definitely different being a coach rather than an athlete. It was hard to explain it in a way others could understand.”
Lincoln will continue to work on the Arizona State project for the next two years.
It offers few opportunities for her to return home to Butler.
“I booked a flight (for later this month). That will be the longest I've ever been away,” Lincoln said.
“I really enjoy (Arizona),” she added. “This summer has been a little bit uncomfortable with the heat. But there is so much to do outdoors. It's so close to a lot of things and the people have really made it nice. But it's hard to be so far away from home.”
