Dragila's main man

A simple facial expression or a small gesture, and Brent Dragila knows exactly what Stacy Dragila is feeling, and usually how she?ll react. Perhaps no one has more insight into the reigning Olympic gold medalist than her husband Brent.Over the past 15 years, Stacy Dragila has gone from a multi-sport star at Placer High to Olympic gold medalist and worldwide celebrity. Brent Dragila has been there nearly every step of the way.Aside from the four years he spent in the military after graduating from Placer in 1989, Brent has been a steady presence alongside Stacy. The Dragilas were married in 1993 and Brent now acts as a business manager/public relations manager for his wife.?It makes a lot of sense for me to help her with the business side of it,? Brent said. ?It works out well. Obviously I think she?s gone a lot further with it than we ever imagined.?As a young couple in Pocatello, Idaho, both were students at Idaho State University. While Stacy was excelling on the track in the pentathlon, Brent was pursuing degrees in sociology and criminology.?I kind of wanted to go into the Drug Enforcement Administration or Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms,? Brent explained.But as Stacy began to make a name for herself in the little-known sport of women?s pole vaulting, Brent would put his career on hold. At the time, the future of women?s pole vaulting was far from promising. Stacy?s career best in 1995 was just 12 feet, 1.5 inches, though she was the No. 2 ranked female in the country. And with pole vaulting not even on the schedule for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, a career in the sport was not exactly lucrative. Still, Stacy was determined to see how far she could take the sport and Brent was supportive.Nearly a decade later, Stacy Dragila is a recognizable name worldwide. She became the first-ever Olympic women?s pole vault champion in 2000. She has held the world record for most of the past five years, though the record is now owned by Russia?s Yelena Isinbayeva. Along with her success in competition, Dragila has won over fans with her down-to-earth personality and winning smile. She has been one of the leading advocates for sending a drug-free team to the Athens Olympics.Dragila also has endorsement deals from Nike and Oakley, among others. ?I think it?s good that (the fame) hasn?t come overnight,? Brent said of his wife?s rise to fame. ?It?s been a steady process.?Brent wasn?t always behind the scenes. During his senior year at Placer, Brent was a star himself on the wrestling mat. As a 132-pound senior, Brent won the sub-section meet, took third at the Sac-Joaquin Section tournament and advanced to state.Since committing to his wife?s career, Brent has taken on a tough role, but one that she truly appreciates.?I?m in a support role and that took an adjustment at first,? Brent said. ?It?s a little unusual in our modern society, but I?ve kind of found a place for myself.?While Brent is very much involved in Stacy?s career, he tries to keep his distance when it comes to competition and let her have space when she needs it.?In a lot of ways, she kind of asks me to not be too involved with the competition part of it and just be a husband,? he said.As nervous as Stacy is when she?s milling around on the track before she competes, Brent often goes through even more emotions as he?s watching his wife. ?I think sometimes sitting in the stands is worse than being the athlete,? Brent said. ?I can tell when she?s struggling a little bit. I know just by her mannerisms, I can get a pretty good indication.?Stacy was having some struggles last year and early this year, but with a new inspiration ? a pair of high-flying Russian vaulters ? and a modified vaulting style, she was determined to chase down another Olympic gold medal in Athens.?She?s a very mentally strong person and I think she?s even more determined to rise to the challenge,? Brent said. ?I think she sees (the Russian competition) as being good for the sport, for the fans to follow. It absolutely gives her positive motivation.?Stacy failed to make it out of the qualifying round in Athens on Saturday, but she has said she?ll likely compete for at least two more years. Whenever Stacy does walk away from the sport she pioneered, the Dragilas plan on following Brent?s career for a while.?With her career, we?ve made a choice and it?s been great,? Brent said. ?I?m sure in one capacity or another I?ll be in my field soon.?