After winning a gold medal in pole vaulting in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, U.S. olympian Stacy Dragila accomplished another major feat Friday at the Pole Vault Summit.

She was inducted into the National Pole Vault Hall of Fame for 2008.

"It was a dream come true (to win gold in 2000) and to be the first (U.S.) women to win it," Dragila said. "Being inducted into the hall of fame is a real honor."

But to Dragila, 37, the Pole Vault Summit was more than being inducted into the pole vault hall of fame or being able to compete in it. Before Dragila and other elite pole vaulters competed at the Summit at the Livestock Events Center on Friday they held a clinic for aspiring pole vaulters at the Nugget in Sparks. The clinic gave both girls and boys from local and out of state high schools a chance to meet and greet the elite athletes and talk pole vaulting. Such athletes as Dragila and U.S. men's olympic pole vaulter Derek Miles participated in the clinic.

"Of course we are competitors and want to compete but, to have .... them to hear our stories gives them a lot," Dragila said.

Dragila told the young athletes at the clinic that to be a successful pole vaulter one needs to stick with the sport.

"It's (pole vaulting) is about the journey," she said. "A pole vaulter is never perfect. I think that is what all the young athletes should know."

"I don't think there is another event that does this," Dragila said. "It is great to see the numbers (of people) here...I know times are a little hard right now and this (the Summit) costs a little more money, but its worth it."