Talk about finding yourself in college. When Chris Swanson first stepped on the Otterbein track, he was a hurdler, then a high jumper—it was not until the end of his sophomore season that Chris found his true calling, the pole vault. He would go on to set school and Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) records, win the national championship, and try out for the U.S. Olympic team.

Chris, who graduated in 2005 with a degree in physical education, tried the pole vault at two meets at the end of his sophomore season, clearing a measly 11-6 and 11-9. The very next year, he not only won both the indoor and outdoor OAC championships with heights of 16-4 and 16-0 ¼, respectively, but qualified for the NCAA’s, earning All-American honors with a height of 16-1¼ to place second at the indoor championships. By 2005, Chris was on a roll, winning the NCAA indoor championship with a school record clear of 17-5½ and earning All-American honors for a third time with a fifth-place finish at the national outdoor meet. He also won both pole vault titles at the indoor and outdoor conference championships. Chris still holds the OAC indoor (17-0 ¾) and outdoor (17-0) records.

He moved to Bullhead City, Ariz. in 2007, teaching elementary school physical education and did not pick up the pole vault again until 2010 when he began running, lifting and training without a pole vault coach. He drove to Los Angeles, Calif., on the weekends for track meets and practices. By 2012, Chris had reached 18-4½ and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials. “We had terrible weather—rain, wind and cold—at the trials, and I did not jump well,” Chris said.

Although Chris may give making the U.S. team another shot in 2016, his priorities have changed. Chris got married to Jeri in 2011 and has two stepsons, Gavin, 9, and Logan, 17. He continues to teach PE and art in elementary school on a part-time basis while selling real estate.