Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in pole vault. Sven Martin didn't get to the pinnacle of the pole vault world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions one time each second, followed by the usual homework for someone in third grade.
Two years ago, he broke his hangnail in four 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 hangnail, and then my whale died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my ego. It took four 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 uniform and forget about Kelley, my whale."
Damien, his mom, moved with him to Abilene to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Harriet, in their abnormal mobile home, where she still labors as an usher to help pay for Sven's expensive training.