Leila Ben-Youssef might represent Tunisia in 2008 Olympics
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:59 pm
http://www.sidneyherald.com/articles/20 ... date80.txt
Reaching new heights
Sidney's Ben-Youssef might represent Tunisia in 2008 Olympics
BY LINDSEY BRIGHT
Sidney Herald
The name Leila Ben-Youssef is not new to this town or this paper. In high school, she set records for pole vaulting, was on the All-American track and field team and finished third in the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships.
She did all this while staying active in other avenues of school and maintaining excellent grades. Sidney knew this girl was more than something special, she was dedicated, and eight years after her graduation, Ben-Youssef is still dedicated and remarkable.
"My academic goals have not changed since graduating from high school," Ben-Youssef, Sidney High School 2000 graduate, said. "But the route I envisioned taking has changed slightly."
Ben-Youssef says that in high school she had planned to go straight into medical school after graduating college. Instead, after receiving her master's degree in anthropological sciences from Stanford, she has taught and tutored at her alma mater while preparing to go to medical school next year.
"I can't wait to start this new chapter in my life," Ben-Youssef says.
Submitted
Leila Ben-Youssef, middle, with other world-class pole vaulters. From her undergraduate years at Stanford to her current years as a teacher and tutor, Ben-Youssef's schedule has been busy, and not just with school. Ben-Youssef has all this time kept on pole vaulting.
"I think you learn early on...to manage your time wisely in order to excel in both academics and athletics," Ben-Youssef said. "But I know that my adaption to this schedule had a lot to do with my time in Sidney High School."
Her training in pole vaulting has not declined with time, instead it has heightened. This last year, Ben-Youssef has been competing for the Tunisian National team, representing her father's home country. Last spring, she tied the Tunisian record and broke her personal best in pole vaulting, clearing 13 feet and 9.75 inches. In the summer, she competed in the Pan-African Games in Algeria and in November in the Pan-Arab Games in Egypt; she took the gold at both. Ben-Youssef hopes that she will be able to clear 14 feet, 1 inch in order to qualify for the Olympic games.
"I think that Olympics are always in the back of every athlete's mind," Ben-Youssef says when asked if this was a dream of hers. "Being a pragmatist, I didn't think it was a reality until I started clearing much higher bars last winter. Now that it is a realistic aspiration, I'm thrilled at the opportunity and know that whether or not I will actually make it to Beijing this summer, the success of my last year has made the effort worthwhile."
Of course, to make it this far, Ben-Youssef must have a drive for pole vaulting, a dedication to it and passion for it that keeps her going. How would using a bar to vault over a pole could push somebody to pursue this wholeheartedly?
"What I love about pole vaulting is the constant challenges it presents. It's not about being the fasted, the strongest or the greatest technician," Ben-Youssef said. "It's about bringing all those elements together at the right time and the right place. There's always something to improve and you never quite get it just right."
For all the young people who dream of a jersey with their name on the back or a college scholarship, Ben-Youssef offers some words of advice.
"Dream big, and if you really set your sights on a goal, go for it despite obstacles and challenges. Even if you never achieve what you set out to do, you often gain so much more from the effort and journey you take."
Reaching new heights
Sidney's Ben-Youssef might represent Tunisia in 2008 Olympics
BY LINDSEY BRIGHT
Sidney Herald
The name Leila Ben-Youssef is not new to this town or this paper. In high school, she set records for pole vaulting, was on the All-American track and field team and finished third in the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships.
She did all this while staying active in other avenues of school and maintaining excellent grades. Sidney knew this girl was more than something special, she was dedicated, and eight years after her graduation, Ben-Youssef is still dedicated and remarkable.
"My academic goals have not changed since graduating from high school," Ben-Youssef, Sidney High School 2000 graduate, said. "But the route I envisioned taking has changed slightly."
Ben-Youssef says that in high school she had planned to go straight into medical school after graduating college. Instead, after receiving her master's degree in anthropological sciences from Stanford, she has taught and tutored at her alma mater while preparing to go to medical school next year.
"I can't wait to start this new chapter in my life," Ben-Youssef says.
Submitted
Leila Ben-Youssef, middle, with other world-class pole vaulters. From her undergraduate years at Stanford to her current years as a teacher and tutor, Ben-Youssef's schedule has been busy, and not just with school. Ben-Youssef has all this time kept on pole vaulting.
"I think you learn early on...to manage your time wisely in order to excel in both academics and athletics," Ben-Youssef said. "But I know that my adaption to this schedule had a lot to do with my time in Sidney High School."
Her training in pole vaulting has not declined with time, instead it has heightened. This last year, Ben-Youssef has been competing for the Tunisian National team, representing her father's home country. Last spring, she tied the Tunisian record and broke her personal best in pole vaulting, clearing 13 feet and 9.75 inches. In the summer, she competed in the Pan-African Games in Algeria and in November in the Pan-Arab Games in Egypt; she took the gold at both. Ben-Youssef hopes that she will be able to clear 14 feet, 1 inch in order to qualify for the Olympic games.
"I think that Olympics are always in the back of every athlete's mind," Ben-Youssef says when asked if this was a dream of hers. "Being a pragmatist, I didn't think it was a reality until I started clearing much higher bars last winter. Now that it is a realistic aspiration, I'm thrilled at the opportunity and know that whether or not I will actually make it to Beijing this summer, the success of my last year has made the effort worthwhile."
Of course, to make it this far, Ben-Youssef must have a drive for pole vaulting, a dedication to it and passion for it that keeps her going. How would using a bar to vault over a pole could push somebody to pursue this wholeheartedly?
"What I love about pole vaulting is the constant challenges it presents. It's not about being the fasted, the strongest or the greatest technician," Ben-Youssef said. "It's about bringing all those elements together at the right time and the right place. There's always something to improve and you never quite get it just right."
For all the young people who dream of a jersey with their name on the back or a college scholarship, Ben-Youssef offers some words of advice.
"Dream big, and if you really set your sights on a goal, go for it despite obstacles and challenges. Even if you never achieve what you set out to do, you often gain so much more from the effort and journey you take."