Stacy Dragila
 |
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
25 March 1971 Auburn, United States |
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in) |
| Weight | 62 kg (137 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Pole vault |
| Club | Nike, Beaverton |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) |
|
Stacy Renée Dragila (née Mikaelson; born 25 March 1971 in Auburn, California) is an American former pole vaulter.
Stacy grew up in the rural town of Auburn. When her older brother Eric got involved with Rodeo, she followed him into the sport. She also participated in gymnastics, but had to give it up due to childhood asthma.
She attended Placer Union High School where she played volleyball and ran on the track team as a sprinter, hurdler and jumper. Early on, she didn't feel she was living up to her potential. She got coaching from Yuba Community College's John Orognen. She managed to get to the finals of the 300 meters hurdles at the CIF California State Meet, but didn't place. She placed second at the Golden West Invitational in the 400 meters hurdles.
After high school, she continued to Yuba College and continued with Orognen, working on hurdles and eventually spreading her effort to the heptathlon. Her primary focus was to gain a track scholarship to a four-year school. Orognen was diagnosed with lung cancer. From his death bed he advised her to pursue her dreams without compromise.
Dave Nielsen offered the promising heptathlete a scholarship to Idaho State University. While there, her scores improved to the respectable range of 4,700 to 4,800 points, but she seemed to reach a ceiling. She also married Iraq war veteran Brent Dragila.
An ex-pole vaulter, Nielsen got her to try the pole vault. At the time it was not an official event for women. She reluctantly gave it a try to appease her coach. She showed no aptitude for the event. But with Nielsen's coaching and body control coaching from his wife, Joy Umenhofer who coached for the United States Tumbling & Trampoline team, she was able to get the hang of it. She cleared 10 feet in 1994 and was surprised when Track and Field News published the mark as an American record.
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