Dragila's final bow must wait

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.auburnjournal.com/articles/2 ... ragila.txt

Dragila's final bow must wait

Empty 2006 gives way to hope for recharged veteran
By: Todd Mordhorst, Journal Sports Editor


Monday, October 8, 2007


At age 36 and a dozen years since first competing for USA Track and Field, Stacy Dragila isn't slowing down. The Placer High graduate - who lives in Idaho - wants a spot on the 2008 Olympic team. Ben furtado/Auburn Journal File Photo 2004
Stacy Dragila is far from the Olympic podium these days as she endures long days of often grueling rehabilitation in San Diego.

As the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials loom less than 10 months away, Dragila has plenty of motivation to add to her resume as the pioneer of the women's pole vault.

"The pinnacle's right there in front of me - the Olympics," Dragila said last week. "I've got to focus on me and making sure I'm healthy. (The rehab) is draining sometimes, but there was no question to come back."


The 1990 Placer High graduate faced the first major injury of her professional career in 2006, when she had surgery on her Achilles tendon. Her comeback earlier this year was short-lived as her other Achilles began acting up after a handful of vaults in competition. Dragila recognized the symptoms and went to Palo Alto for surgery on her other leg in July.

"I caught it quickly and I figured if I got surgery quickly, it would be a shorter rehab," she said.

Dragila said the injury is the result of genetics.

"I'm kind of strung really tight, which is not advantageous for the sport I do," Dragila said. "I'm more predisposed to this injury, so I've got to stay on top of my stretching. Now I think we're on the right track."

The 36-year-old Dragila has heard the doubters. The 2000 Olympic gold medalist prefers listening to the many supporters who believe she can create some more history in the event that she dominated for nearly a decade.

U.S. teammate Allen Johnson suffered a hamstring injury early in 2006, but the 1996 Olympic gold medallist hurdler came back the 110-meter hurdles at last year's IAAF World Cup, running his fastest time in almost 10 years. Johnson provided encouragement for Dragila last summer when the first of her two injuries left her questioning her future.

"We ended up chatting and I told him everybody's counting me out - there's no mention of my name in the mix with the best in the world," Dragila said. "He said, 'If you have it in your heart, then just stay focused and when you're on the medal stand you can thank the people that stood by you. The highlight of your career could be ahead of you and you don't even know it yet.'"

Dragila has worked to surround herself with positive energy, which is vital to her work with a team of physical therapists.


They are slowly building up the strength in her legs, but it's a strenuous process.

"I love my rehab guys, but they're tough on me," she said. "When I'm healed up, I'll be functioning as an elite athlete and I'll have the confidence to use my body the way I'm supposed to."

Dragila said she's on track to begin competing early next year. She plans on vaulting at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in March. Dragila said the results early in the year aren't a big concern, but she hopes to progress to the point where she can compete with the world's best by next summer.

"I'm sure there are some doubters, maybe some of my competitors," Dragila said. "I've explained to some of the other U.S. athletes what I'm going through and they're all encouraging. I've had great support. But I'm not just trying to hang on, I want to be competitive."

[TrackCEO]

Story sez SD is rehabbing in SD.

Anyone know where? Or how she can be contacted?

ken

[rainbowgirl28]

Story sez SD is rehabbing in SD.

Anyone know where? Or how she can be contacted?

ken

I would assume she is at the training center in Chula Vista.