Darren Niedermeyer, an Elite Athlete Grantee Biography

DARREN NIEDERMEYER

HOMETOWN: SCHAUMBURG, IL
SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
EVENT: POLE VAULT

CLICK HERE FOR DARREN'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.

In Darren's words,

I grew up and still live in Schaumburg, IL, and train in Naperville, IL. When I was 4 years old, I started shooting archery and was in Junior Olympic Archery Development. This is when I started to dream of becoming an Olympian. Growing up, I was also very into BMX dirt jumping and mountain biking. A knock-out crash on my mountain bike made me incapable of competing at the indoor national championships. The week before the crash I shot back-to-back 282s on a 300 FITA score with a recurve bow. That was the last time I really shot. I soon moved off to college and pursued pole vaulting, leaving archery in my past.

Away from the track, I like to fish with my friends when I have time. My favorite activity is snowboarding. Someday, when I am done competing, I will do more of that. When I "put myself out to stud," hahaha, I would like to research consumers helping companies develop better products or marketing campaigns. I could also see myself continuing to coach high school pole vaulters.

The grant I received from the USATF Foundation has helped me train and pay necessary expenses. These funds are needed on a grander scale. Once athletes leave the comfort of a university, they lose health insurance, facilities, etc. I used the funds for health insurance, travel to national championships, and basic necessities like food and training shoes. Without the grant, I would have had a much harder trail to were I am now. I also appreciated Under Armour for the gear they sent. I was happy to send user feedback about the gear.

Thanks,

Darren Niedermeyer, Pole Vault

CLICK HERE FOR DARREN'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.

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