It was an enlightening experience. It was a special experience. It was a growing experience.

But it wasn't a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At least, Sydney Horn is hoping that it wasn't.

A 2020 graduate of Manheim Township High School and a collegiate pole vaulter at High Point University in North Carolina, Horn did not qualify for the United States Olympic Team currently competing in Paris. But she gave it her all at the Olympic Track and Field Trials at the University of Oregon in Eugene, and she came away with an experience that can only positively shape her future.

"I thought I did all right, but it could've been better," said Horn. "I took in the whole experience, and I was grateful to be there. (Eugene) is always cool; it's a track town. It was awesome being there and being surrounded by all the people there. The atmosphere was amazing. Everyone there wanted to see track, and it was cool to be surrounded by that many amazing athletes."

The trials took place on June 28. Going up against the top 24 female pole vaulters in the country, Horn finished in a tie for 17th place by clearing 13-9.25.

Her personal best in the event is 14-10.

"I would say (the Olympic trials are) definitely up there," said Horn of her athletic experiences to date. "The goal was just to make it to the finals, have fun and enjoy the experience. Making the Olympic team wasn't realistic. Meeting all the people along the way was great. You always want more. You're never going to be happy with your performance."

After clearing 13-9.25 on her first try, Horn could not clear 14-3.25 in three attempts and failed to advance to the finals. From the 13 in the finals, three competitors earned the privilege of representing the United States of America at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

"It's a little bit of everything," said Horn of the key to successful pole vaulting. "You lift three times a week, and you run every day. Technique is a lot of it. But if you're not fast enough to get down the runway and not strong enough, you're not going to be able to pole vault very well."

With a background in gymnastics, Horn began pole vaulting in her freshman year at Manheim Township. By the time she graduated, Horn was clearing 13-6 before progressing to 13-10 in her freshman season at High Point.

Now, Horn's new goal is a return trip to the Olympic Trials in 2028. She has a year of collegiate eligibility left at High Point; then she will be on her own.

"I'm going to stick with it, train and see how it goes," said Horn, 21. "I feel like I need to stick with it and make sure I give it my all. When you're surrounded by amazing athletes, it's like, 'I can do this too.'"

"It's such a big deal," she added. "I got a little taste of it. This year was about getting experience. (At the Olympic Games), I couldn't imagine what it would be like."