The definition of a leader, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is a person who has commanding authority or influence, and for the Sacramento State track and field team, Daniel Imlach personifies these qualities.

“Dan is a great captain. In practice, he is the type of athlete who gives 110 percent in practice and 120 percent in the meets. He established himself as one of the nation’s top pole vaulters,” said coach Kathleen Raske.

Before Imlach became a Hornet, he competed for Shasta Junior College for one season; there he was named as an All-American for winning the JC state title for pole vault. Since he became a part of the Sac State track team in 2006, he has been breaking personal bests and records left and right.

In 2006, Imlach qualified for the NCAA West Regional mark with the height of 17-00.75, which set the school record. The high flyer did not stop there because in 2007 he qualified again for the NCAA West Regional’s in pole vault, but this time he broke his school record with the height of 17-01.00 and was 6th place in the region.

“Dan has always had a work persona about him ever since he got to Sac State. He was one of the new guys on the team, but he led by example,” said assistant coach Terry Van Laningham.

Imlach affects a lot of the athletes that do not even train with him as well.

“Yeah, Daniel is a work horse. Just seeing him and the things that he does makes me want to work harder,” said senior sprinter Alex Jackson.

After winning the championship for the indoor conference, the men’s and women’s teams are looking to win their outdoor conference in the same year. Imlach will be a key factor in whether they do good throughout their meets during the season.

“Dan came to Sac State with the mindset on winning championships for the Hornets. With it happening that just made him hungrier to win more,” said Van Langingham.

Imlach said he loves to work hard and be the best that he can be for his teammates, and that is why he expects the same from them.

“We train for a reason, and that reason is for us to be the best that we can be. We work hard for a reason and that is to win Big Sky Championship and try to take it further than that,” Imlach said.

During this season, Daniel Imlach will continue to be the definition of a leader as they get ready to go into the heart of their season as the men rally behind him once more in his senior year.

David Green can be reached at [email protected]