Dana Ellis reached new heights this year in women's pole vault when she smashed the Canadian record on May 8 at the Modesto Relays in California by clearing 4.43 metres and equalled the mark May 22 at the Home Depot L.A. Invitational.
Ellis is in the midst of a second sports career. She was with the Canadian gymnastics team for seven years and competed at the 1995 world championships, but injuries denied her a chance to vie for a spot on the 1996 Olympic team. She decided to end her gymnastics career five years ago.
She said she tried various sports after gymnastics including rugby and swimming. But she admits her gymnastics helped her adapt quickly to the pole vault. She had solid upper body strength and didn't lose her orientation in the air.
Her husband Ross Buller is vying for an Olympic berth in pole vault on the American team this year. The couple resides at Lake Charles, Louisiana.
