About
Tenly Kuhn
Tenly Kuhn is a Division I Indoor Track and Field All-American pole vaulter, active NIL athlete, and senior at Baylor University, where she balances elite athletics with the demands of an accounting degree, demonstrating a disciplined approach that has seen her excel both in the classroom and on the track. During the 2025 outdoor season, she set a personal record of 4.51 meters at the Alumni Muster at Texas A&M, secured fourth place at the Big Twelve Championships, placed 7th at the NCAA Indoor Championships, and solidified herself as one of the top collegiate vaulters in the country. Her achievements in 2025 build on her 2024 performances, where she steadily progressed through a series of competitive meets and ended the season with a PR of 4.11 meters. But her growth extends far beyond competition.
Born in Nevada and raised in California, Tenly is a former trampoline and tumbling gymnast who faced chronic back pain and emotional burnout by age 12. Her story is one of reinvention—encouraged by her family and coaches, she chose to step away from gymnastics and began sprinting in her junior year of high school. Tenly later discovered pole vaulting during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in under two years, she rose from beginner to Division I recruit. Her strong commitment to self-discipline and a positive mindset are hallmarks of her athletic journey. Tenly finds joy in pole vault’s physical and mental challenges, appreciating how the sport cultivates her focus, resilience, and strength.
Tenly is known for her emotional honesty, mental clarity, and bold decisions to protect her well-being, even when it meant stepping back to reset. She’s faced performance anxiety, body image struggles, and mental blocks head-on, emerging as a voice for student-athletes navigating similar battles. Her motto: “I don’t always know the exact ‘why,’ but I do know I need to be doing something. Setting goals. Moving forward. That’s what keeps me sane.”
Tenly speaks openly about the realities of sport, not just the wins, but what it takes to get there. She shares her journey through topics like mental health in athletics, redefining success, and movement as a tool for emotional regulation. She is not a “highlight reel” athlete—she is a resilient, thoughtful competitor who represents what it looks like to keep showing up, with purpose and self-awareness.
Beyond the track, Tenly enjoys a variety of hobbies, from snowboarding and beach outings in California to spending time with friends and her beloved cat, Sushi. Her Christian faith is a foundational part of her life, inspiring her to bring compassion and a light-hearted spirit to her busy schedule. Tenly credits her family as her biggest inspiration, appreciating their loving, genuine nature and striving to embody similar qualities in her own life.
In addition to her sports and academic commitments, Tenly is a member of Baylor’s Women in Business club and is dedicated to promoting time management skills, positivity, and meaningful relationships among aspiring athletes. With an unwavering focus on improvement, she is a role model for her peers, exemplifying the balance of excellence in sports, academics, and personal growth.
Whether she’s journaling goals, mentoring teammates, or stepping up to the runway, Tenly continues to build a story that proves success doesn’t have to be linear—it just has to be honest.