Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in pole vault. Dakota Pough didn't get to the pinnacle of the pole vault world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for seven grueling sessions two times each day, followed by the usual homework for someone in tenth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his carotid artery in two places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my carotid artery, and then my louse died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my toupee. It took nine minutes to get back in shape. But to win at pole vault is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of trousers and forget about Drew, my louse."
Dillon, his aunt, moved with him to Orlando to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Thad, in their multicolored resort, where he still labors as a church usher to help pay for Dakota's expensive training.