Run for the Dream - Dragila 4.37, Mack 5.49

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.fresnobee.com/513/story/1120809.html

Fraley's rep still a draw for Dragila, other stars
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009
By Ken Robison / The Fresno Bee

The phone rang at the Fraley home last week and the resulting conversation validated all the hard work Bob Fraley has given to track and field through the years.

On the other end was Stacy Dragila, former Olympic pole vault champion and world record holder. Sure, she told Fraley, I'll come to Fresno for your Jan. 19 Run for the Dream indoor meet.

"Best phone call I ever got," Fraley said. "She said, 'Coach, for all you and your community have done, the way you guys supported me in [the 1999 street vault in] Clovis ...'

"It was awesome. She told me, 'I'm coming, coach, all I need is a room. I'll do interviews, if you need me to get up at 5 a.m. to talk to a radio station, I'll do it.' "

That was sweet music to Fraley, who is feeling the pinch in these lean times. He retired last spring after 28 seasons coaching at Fresno State, and Run for the Dream is his full-time project.

But even a track and field legend is finding fundraising difficult. Many of his sponsors the past couple of years were farmers, and they're struggling with a down economy and water shortages.

"I'm spending endless hours on this thing," Fraley said the other day. "Oh, boy, is it a hard deal. I have what you'd call a recession budget this year. Getting sponsorships is not as easy these days."

Fraley can't offer transportation to Fresno, and there's no prize money available for the elite athletes in his Martin Luther King Jr. Day meet. But what he can give is a room at the University Inn and a short walk across Shaw Avenue to the Save Mart Center to compete.

That -- and Fraley's stature in track and field -- has been enough to draw world-class athletes such as Dragila, 2004 Olympic pole vault gold medalist Tim Mack, four-time Olympic high jumper Amy Acuff and several other Olympians.

Reached by phone at her home in San Diego on Saturday, Dragila recalled her visit to the Clovis street vault.

"Ten thousand people showed up. They touch you like you're a rock star -- it was electrifying. How could you not perform in such an awesome setting?"

So it was a no-brainer when Fraley asked her to come back.

"Coach Fraley has such passion for the sport," Dragila said. "Every time he talks he touches me."

Even in retirement, Fraley remains a revered figure in collegiate sports. In October he was invited to a track and field awards banquet at perennial Division II powerhouse Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.

He related how, as a young man, he couldn't afford a ticket to the West Coast Relays in Fresno. "But the next year," he told them, "Abilene Christian was coming, so I made sure I got a ticket."

He let the athletes know that Abilene Christian "was the most feared team in the land" in the days of world champions such as Bobby Morrow.

"I emphasized, 'You have great heritage, don't take it for granted,' " Fraley said.

Heritage. Few people have established one as powerful as Fraley's.

[rainbowgirl28]

The third annual Run For The Dream Indoor Track and Field Invitational honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the great athletes of the Central Valley. The past, present and future stars of track and field will converge on Monday, January 19th, 2009 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

The event features one of the fastest indoor tracks in the world. This $1,000,000 state of the art Tartan Track was built exclusively for this event and was graciously donated by Mr. Fred Arnold in honor of his late wife Madeleine. A fantastic facility, top youth, high school, collegiate and world class athletes make the Run For The Dream Indoor Track and Field Invitational, the premier indoor meet on the west coast.

The event is set to begin at 9:00am with the invitational Pole Vault. The first running event takes place at 10:30am. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Save Mart Center Box Office or by CLICKING HERE . Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for student (w/ID), and $5 for kids (3-14 yrs old).

The University Division competition will take place in the morning featuring Fresno State, UC Davis, Cal Poly, CS Bakersfield, USC and others. The High School and Invitaitonal athletes will compete in the afternoon beginning at 1:30pm. Tickets are valid for the entire day.
For more information regarding the event, please visit www.runforthedream.com.

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.runforthedream.com/

Stellar Invitational Pole Vault Field
January 13, 2009
The Invitational Pole Vault is shaping up to be the featured event at the 2009 Run For The Dream. The six person high/low bar competition with Men and Women competing against each other will feature 3 Olympians and 2 Olympic Gold Medalists. 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Tim Mack (Nike) and 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist, Stacy Dragila will take on 2 time Mexican Olympian, Giovanni Lanaro. Lanaro, the Mexican and Pan American Record Holder, was ranked #7 in the world last season. Mack (P.R. 19'08"3/4) and Lanaro (P.R. 19'01"), who both have personal bests of over 19 feet (5.80M) will be joined by former NCAA All-American, Brian DaCunha. On the women's side, Dragila will be challenged by two former NCAA Division 1 Champions, Chelsea Johnson (Nike) and Becky Holliday. Johnson (P.R. 15'06"1/4, #2 U.S. Ranking), one of the rising stars of the pole vault in the United States, is the daughter of legendary vaulter and coach, Jan Johnson (1972 Olympic Bronze Medalist). Two weeks ago she captured the National Pole Vault Summit Title over a stellar field with a jump of 14'07"1/4.

[rainbowgirl28]

Event 34 Women Pole Vault INV
==========================================================================
Name Year School Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 Stacy Dragila Nike 4.37m 14-04.00
-- Brysun Stately U S C NH

Event 35 Men Pole Vault INV
==========================================================================
Name Year School Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 Tim Mack Nike 5.49m 18-00.00
2 Brian DaCunha Unattached 5.34m 17-06.25
3 Giovanni Lanaro Mexico, Mizuno J5.34m 17-06.25

[MianiGiuliano]

Media pictures

http://trackandfieldphoto.com/MeetMatri ... y=1&Page=3

http://trackandfieldphoto.com/MeetMatri ... y=1&Page=4