Melinda Owen, an Elite Athlete Grantee Biography

MELINDA OWEN

HOMETOWN: POLSON, MONTANA (GOD'S COUNTRY)
SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO (BA, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION)
CURRENT RESIDENCE: OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER, CHULA VISTA, CA
EVENT: POLE VAULT

Career Highlights: 5th place, Outdoor National Championships; Champion, 2010 Osaka Grand Prix; 6th place, Outdoor National Championships; Bronze medal, 2009 Indoor National Championships;10th place, 2008 Olympic Trials; 2007 All-American

CLICK HERE FOR MELINDA'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.

VISIT MELINDA'S WEBSITE - www.melindaowen.com

In Melinda's words:

"I was more fortunate than most track athletes coming out of college because I live and train at an Olympic Center. They provide food, housing and free coaching.This lightens my burden tremendously.  This paired up with the USATF Foundation Grant and some donations from people and businesses in my hometown; I am able to continue to dedicate 100% of my time to training for a medal at the London Olympics in 2012.  For this I am forever grateful!!!"

“By working hard, we make our own luck!”

I have always been pulled toward sports. I think it was because of my family dynamics. My father used to wake my siblings and me up in the morning after he got back from his run, and we all did sit- ups and push-ups together. When we all finished we got to sit on his back while he did his. He made it very fun for us. We were in clubs depending on the number of sit-ups and push-ups we could do, and we always were trying to get in the next club! Because of this, we all loved being both active and competitive! And both of my parents were very supportive with any and every sports we wanted to try. I did pretty much everything that Polson (my hometown) had to offer, so when it came time in high school to make a decision on just three, it was very tough. Track, and specifically pole vault, was difficult to spend much time on due to the fact that it typically snows off and on until June in Montana. This is why I felt it was so important I participated in both basketball and volleyball as well.  With the combination of the three sports, I believed that helped make me a more well rounded athlete.

The journey that I have taken to get me where I am today has been nothing less than amazing. The people around me were willing to make sacrifices for me, because of the work ethic my parents had instilled in me. My high school coach stuck around even after all his kids had graduated to see me to my own state championship title! In college I was fortunate enough to have a coach that selflessly worked harder than any other person I have yet met in my 25 years. The time he dedicated to my training was in large part what helped me become the best collegiate vaulter by my senior year. Because of that mark, I was then asked by the Olympic coach, Ty Sevin, to join his small group of athletes at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. So as you can see, there really isn’t one person or situation that got me where I am, but instead it was a combination of very dedicated people and some rare opportunities. My most stable help has and always will come from my faith and family (boyfriend included). Their combination keeps me humble, honest, passionate and loved. Without all of it I would have never became the person I am today.

When I initially considered continuing pole vault after college, I was a little concerned about chasing a job that has close to zero financial gain unless you are at the top of the world. I honestly chose to persist because I love it, and I believe that I have the potential for greatness. When you are working your way up to the top, the hardest part is finding the money to do it. I didn’t used to think about money, my parents supported me through high school, and I had a full ride scholarship to college (best sponsorships EVER!) Now I have come to realize how much money you need each month to make it to the next. I was more fortunate than most track athletes coming out of college because I live and train at an Olympic Center.They provide food, housing and free coaching.This lightens my burden tremendously.  This paired up with the USATF Foundation Grant and some donations from people and businesses in my hometown; I am able to continue to dedicate 100% of my time to training for a medal at the London Olympics in 2012.  For this I am forever grateful!!!

AT THE OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER ALONG WITH STACY DRAGILA & CO.

WORKING AT HOME WITH "TEAM THEY" MIDDLE-SCHOOL GIRLS

Thanks,

Melinda Owen, Pole Vault

CLICK HERE FOR MELINDA'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.

Please contact Tom Jackovic, Executive Director, USATF Foundation at (412) 398-2484 for additional information about Elite Athlete support programs.

AT THE OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER

BACKPACKING WITH IAN

YOGA, MY SECRET TO STAYING HEALTHY!

IDAHO TEAMMATES MELINDA & KC DAHLGREN