BUTLER TWP — Four years in gymnastics as a youth, 10 years in cheerleading.

Without knowing it, Taylor Weaver was grooming herself to be a pole vaulter.

“I got used to the body movement and body control in the air,” the Butler senior said. “I took tumbling until I was 10 to help prepare for cheerleading.”

Now Weaver is preparing to extend her pole vaulting career. She took up the sport in seventh grade. She will continue it at St. Francis (Pa.) University next year.

“It's a great fit for her,” Butler girls track coach John Williams said of St. Francis. “And they've never had someone quite like her. I'm sure they're thrilled she's coming.”

The St. Francis women's pole vault record is 11 feet, 11 inches. Weaver's personal-best in high school is 11 feet, 9 inches.

Before thinking about the Red Flash record, she wants the Golden Tornado mark to fall. Melanie Buczko set that record at 12-6 in 2003 and went on to a brilliant career at Bucknell.

“I'm shooting for the school record right now,” Weaver said. “I'm hoping to get the (St. Francis) college record during indoor season next year.

“Ultimately, I want to win their conference title.”

St. Francis is a member of the Northeast Conference.

Before last year, Weaver wasn't thinking about any records.

“I went up by a foot and a half last year,” she said. “My goal was always to pole vault in college, but I didn't think it was going to happen until last year.

“My new coach (Butler pole vault specialist Jerry McGarrah) had a lot to do with my improvement. He's worked with me on technique and my mental approach.”

Weaver said the toughest part about pole vaulting is “bending the pole,”

“I was a bit intimidated by the event at first,” she admitted. “At the same time, I embrace the danger of it.”

Weaver placed third at the WPIAL meet last season and placed eighth at the state indoor meet this past winter. She ranks among the top three pole vaulters in the WPIAL and is ranked fifth in the state so far this outdoor season.

“Taylor has a tremendous work ethic,” McGarrah said. “She is dedicated to the pole vault and is always striving to get better.

“Speed is so key to pole vaulting and Taylor has that. It generally takes a long time to succeed in this sport. Most pole vaulters don't peak until they are in their 20s.

“I think she'll have a great career in college,” he added.

Weaver also considered Chatham before deciding on St. Francis. She was attracted by its occupational therapy program.

“It's outstanding and that will be my field of study,” she said. “The athletic part of it is like a bonus.”

The Red Flash have struggled in meets so far this season, finishing 38th out of 44 teams at the Colonial Invitational and 19th of 22 teams at the Mason Spring Invitational. Doug Hoover is in his fifth year as St. Francis cross country and track coach.

The Red Flash placed second as a team in the NEC in 2013. They have finished fifth twice and seventh last year in the conference meet since.

Weaver will join two other local athletes — freshman jumper Sarah Gold (Slippery Rock) and freshman distance runner Catie Jaskowak (Grove City) — at St. Francis.