Born: March 25, 1971 Known for: Auburn native Stacy Dragila won the first women's Olympic pole vaulting gold medal in Sydney, Australia, in 2000 and set the American record of 15 feet, 10 inches in 2004.
Background: Stacy Mikaelson grew up on her father's farm in Auburn and attended Alta Vista Elementary, E.V. Cain Middle and Placer High schools. She met her husband, Brent Dragila, at Placer High. She was recruited by Yuba College and trained for the seven-event heptathlon before earning a scholarship to Idaho State University. In 1997, she became the first woman to win the world indoor pole vaulting championship and in 1999 became the first woman to win the outdoor title. At the 2000 Olympic Trials at California State University, Sacramento, Dragila qualified for the Olympic team by vaulting 15 feet, 21/4 inches. She placed fourth in the pole vault at the 2004 Athens Games. Her goal is to make the U.S. team for the world championships in Osaka, Japan, in August and qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
A highlight: Following the 2000 Olympics, Dragila's photo was featured on a Wheaties box. Pocatello, Idaho, has named a street after her, Dragila Way.
In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were
published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.
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