Daniel Ryland’s Pole Vault Website

 

My name is Daniel Eleazar Ryland.   I was born in West Texas on August 6th 1979.  From there my lifes journey began.  As in most peoples lives, mine has taken some twists and turns that has been my Journey.  I ended up getting a High School Diploma from Buckeye High School in Deville, Louisiana.  From there I chose to enroll in University Studies at Arkansas State University.

 

I got a degree in Mathematics, but more importantly I discovered my love to travel and see the world.  And that I have done since I had keys to my own car.  It is easier for me to say that I have never been to South America and I have never been to China.  Both of those facts will no longer be true very soon!

 

I started focusing on Pole Vaulting in the 2003 season, and in 9 months I when from jumping 16’(an average HS vaulter) to 18’2” and had the 12th best vault in the United States.  The next year I made the Final of the USA Olympic Trials and vaulted the 7th best Vault in the US.  In 2005 I had a breakthrough that came just a few weeks too late to make the US Team...I ended the season with the 5th highest vault in the WORLD!  This rose a few eye brows since I was able to be very competitive in Europe in a few Grand Prix Meets.  I also Represented the United States in the Deca Nations Challenge, where I finished 2nd behind the #1 Russian.  I returned after a long season in Europe that had me get home in late September.  I ended up getting a shoe contract with Adidas that gave me a base salary and bonus structure that would allow me to make some money of the 2006 season.  

 

Life had a different plan for me...I got what I thought was a small injury during my Fall training.  That small injury became a 9 month cluster of all over the place doing things other than Pole Vaulting...I finally healed and began training again in the fall of 2006...nearly an entire year since I had last Pole Vaulted.  

 

The 2007 season was the most fun I had ever had.

 

Right now I have a shoulder that is my biggest challenge to overcome to make this a reality...I am in Miami working with the best there is  and feel confident that I will return to my passion stronger and better prepared.  

 

I hope all is well, I will post what I can when I can.  Feel free to email words of wisdom and encouragement that you feel will help me on my Journey