Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in pole vault. Demetrius Collier 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 year, followed by the usual homework for someone in seventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his elbow 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 elbow, and then my beetle died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my funny bone. It took seven 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 jerkin and forget about Harvey, my beetle."
Karl, his grandmother, moved with him to Louisiana to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Hunter, in their immense houseboat, where he still labors as a surgeon to help pay for Demetrius's expensive training.