Stacy Dragila facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Stacy Dragila

Dragila at the 2005 Reno Pole Vault Summit
Personal information
Birth name	Stacy Renée Mikaelsen
Born	(1971-03-25) March 25, 1971 (age 54) Auburn, California, U.S.
Height	5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (1.72 m)
Weight	137 lb (62 kg)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Pole vault
Club	Nike, Beaverton
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	Pole vault: 4.83 (2004)
Medal record Women's athletics Representing  United States Olympic Games Gold 2000 Sydney Pole vault World Championships Gold 1999 Seville Pole vault Gold 2001 Edmonton Pole vault World Indoor Championships Gold 1997 Paris Pole vault Silver 2004 Budapest Pole vault

Stacy Renée Dragila, born Stacy Renée Mikaelsen on March 25, 1971, is a famous American athlete. She was an amazing pole vaulter. Stacy won a gold medal at the Olympics and was a world champion many times.

Stacy's Early Life and Sports Beginnings

Stacy Dragila standing in front of her photographic statue while being inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame

Stacy Dragila grew up in Auburn, California. When she was younger, she did gymnastics. However, she stopped gymnastics because she had asthma.

In high school, Stacy played volleyball. She also joined the track team. She was a fast runner, a hurdler, and a jumper. She even competed in the 300 meters hurdles. In 1990, she earned second place in the 400 meters hurdles at a big event.

Stacy went to Idaho State University and finished in 1995. There, she competed in the heptathlon, which is a competition with seven different track and field events. Her coach introduced her to pole vaulting. She was one of the first women to compete in official pole vault events.

Stacy's Amazing Pole Vault Career

Stacy Dragila became a top pole vaulter. In 1996, she won the U.S. Olympic Trials for pole vaulting. However, women's pole vault was not yet an official Olympic sport that year.

Setting World Records

In March 1997, Stacy won the pole vault at the Indoor World Championships. She set a new indoor world record by jumping 4.48 meters (about 14 feet 8 inches). In 1999, she won gold again at the Outdoor World Championships. There, she set her first outdoor world record of 4.60 meters (about 15 feet 1 inch).

Throughout her career, Stacy set or tied the indoor world record 8 times. She also set or tied the outdoor world record 10 times!

Olympic Gold Medalist

Stacy Dragila accepting her induction into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame

Stacy won the U.S. Olympic Trials again in 2000. She also broke the world record once more, jumping 4.63 meters (about 15 feet 2 inches). Later that year, she made history at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Stacy Dragila won the very first Olympic gold medal for women's pole vault!

Her last major championship was the World Championships in 2009. She jumped 4.25 meters but did not make it to the final round.

Stacy was elected to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2014. Today, there is an annual track and field event named after her at Idaho State University. It is called the Stacy Dragila Open.

Stacy's International Achievements

Stacy Dragila competed in many big events around the world. Here are some of her top results:

National Championships Won

Stacy Dragila also won many national titles in the United States:

• USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
  • Pole vault (9 times): 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
• USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
  • Pole vault (8 times): 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004

Stacy's Personal Life

Stacy Dragila lives in Boise, Idaho. She owns and coaches at a special pole vault training center called Dragila Vault Co.

She is married to Ian Waltz, who is an American discus thrower. They have a daughter named Allyx Josephine Waltz, who was born on June 21, 2010.

Awards and Recognition

• World Athlete of the Year (Women): 2001

See also

In Spanish: Stacy Dragila para niños