Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in pole vault. Sydmo Stine didn't get to the pinnacle of the pole vault world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for two grueling sessions two times each blink of an eye, followed by the usual homework for someone in eighth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her hair in three places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my hair, and then my snake died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my eyebrow. It took three hours 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 beach towel and forget about Russ, my snake."
Spud, her mother, moved with her to Burbank to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Harvey, in their ridiculous hut, where he still labors as a rodeo clown to help pay for Sydmo's expensive training.