The Olympics are an international spectacle that brings the word together.  Athletes from countries that are often seen as enemies of each other embrace each other after competitions. Rarely do so many high level athletes have the chance to appreciate each other, no matter where they come from or their background.

Three University of Akron athletes pursued their dreams and traveled to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games. Pole Vaulter Shawn Barber competed for the Canadian Olympic team and Anika Roloff pole vaulted for her home country Germany. Clayton Murphy won a bronze medal for the United States in the 800m.

Pole Vaulter Barber decided to leave the University of Akron earlier this year so he could compete professionally around the world. When he is not competing, Barber also coaches at the University of Akron and continues to be coached by the staff at the university.

Akron’s head track coach Dennis Mitchell explained how he was able to help Barber throughout this past year.

“I take care of Barber’s training. However, this year Barber was on the road doing so many meets that many of his meets became his training. That became a big challenge for us. Fortunately many of his meets from around the world were televised or streamed on the internet. I could watch them and give him [advice] afterwards. It was difficult watching them and not being able to communicate with him during the event.  Fortunately his agent was at many of the meets. I would sometimes communicate through him.  Again, when the college season was over I traveled with him to his meets and [we] were able to do some training on the road,” Mitchell said.

Pole Vaulter Roloff left Akron in 2014 to compete in her home country. Her coaches in Germany prepared her for the Olympics.
Mitchell pointed out several similarities between Akron’s Olympians.

“All three are very talented. They are extremely dedicated. Each of them are very good competitors who do not get rattled easily. They are very smart. They are very good students of their events. They are very coachable. You cannot compete at this level without having some extraordinary abilities. Sometimes I can be overwhelmed by some of the amazing things they do. You have to remind yourself; of course they can do this or that. They are the best in the world,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell expanded on the team’s philosophy regarding how they improve all of the athletes in the University of Akron’s track program.

“[Akron has] created what we call an atmosphere of high expectations. [In Greek, the word Akron means] the highest. So we look at Akron Expectations. What this means is that everything we do in training and competitively is done as if as if they are going to compete at the highest level. We go to the best meets. We make sure they have the best facilities and superior training opportunities. It is an attitude, it is a plan, and it is a system of implementation,” Mitchell said.

Murphy began his Olympic journey in seventh grade, when he joined his school’s track and cross country teams. After success in high school, he decided to run track at the University of Akron.

“I [chose] Akron because of three things: academics [that] fit the needs I was looking for, good graduation rates, excellent job placement and a faculty that actually [wants] students to succeed. The coach, Coach LaBadie had big dreams and ambitions for me on and off the track. We clicked from day one. Also the team, I got along so well with the team. I have created lifelong friendships with these guys,” Murphy said.

Lee LaBadie has been coaching at the University of Akron for nine years. He coaches both Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, and is an assistant coach for the Men’s Track team. Labadie credits Murphy’s success to having what he calls the “5 Character Traits of a Champion.”

“[Murphy is] team oriented. He personally invests in everyone on the team. He never gives up on the goal/race plan, regardless of the level of competition. He [trusts] in his training/coaching during competition, [and has] no doubts. He has the ability to execute all details of the race plan during the race. [He] looks/thinks ahead while in competition. [Murphy] analyzes [his performance] with coach every race and will make corrections for the next race. He always stays healthy, eats right, sleeps right and 100% committed to being ready for racing/training,” LaBadie said.

Murphy began to seriously consider going to the Olympics in 2014, after he earned a spot on the All-American track team for the second time. He said that progressing through the Olympic trials was stressful.

“You work so hard for so long for it come down to one weekend to qualify for the ultimate meet,” Murphy said.

Murphy explained how Akron helped him get to the level needed to compete in the Olympics.

“Akron for sure helped me get there. They helped me have a winning attitude when it came it track. I now step on the track every time ready to compete. I am not afraid of anyone and that competitive drive…came from the team at Akron,” Murphy said.

Once Murphy actually arrived in Rio de Janeiro, he had an indescribable feeling. He said that being around all of the other athletes was a very humbling experience.

“Being at the Olympics is an amazing feeling. It is difficult to put into words what the feeling of the Olympics are. You are surrounded by the greatest athletes from around the world,” Murphy said.

Years of hard work culminated at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The three athletes competed with some of the best people in the world. Roloff left the Olympics ranked 21st in the world for women’s pole vault, and Barber left ranked 10th for men’s pole vault. Murphy earned the bronze medal in the 800m with a time of 1:42.93.