Sprint kayaking runs in Ty Hagler's blood. In fact, his parents first met as doubles partners for a whitewater canoe race. By the age of seven, Ty was paddling with his father through class three rapids! Then, as a teenager, Ty moved with his family to Gainesville, Georgia. On the waters of Lake Lanier, they became heavily involved with flatwater paddling and the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. His family volunteered to help with the flatwater kayak events of the 1996 Olympics. Ty and his sister, Katie, became boat-holders, helping to align the boats of Olympians at the start. Since that experience, Ty has been hooked on the dream of becoming an Olympian.
The community of Gainesville has been hooked on sprint kayaking as well. Through the initial support of community leaders, LCKC hired an Olympic-caliber coach and began a tradition of excellence that is the pride of Gainesville. Ty quickly benefited from the community investment, earning a gold medal in doubles at the 1998 Junior National Championships and was on the Junior National Team. That same year, he earned his Eagle Scout award. Understanding the value of his community's support, Ty continues to give back through mentoring youths at the club, and volunteering with service projects.
Throughout his college years, Ty continued his passion for kayaking. He created the first Collegiate Flatwater Kayak Club at Georgia Tech. Under Ty's leadership, the club helped to institute the first Collegiate National Championships for flatwater canoe/kayak; they are now in their sixth year and continue to grow. While at Georgia Tech, Ty won six USACK Senior National Championship gold medals in doubles and fours. He qualified for three Under 23 development teams, raced in the Pan American Championships to earn three bronze medals, and raced in other international races in Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, and Czech Republic.
Two months after graduating from Georgia Tech in 2003, Ty qualified for the 2003 World Championship Team. He raced in the four-man kayak 500 meter event where he and his teammates came in 14th. Ty's success qualified him for The Home Depot's Olympic Job Opportunities Program, helping to provide Ty with a sound financial base. Ty then transitioned his OJOP status to an independent contractor relationship with Home Depot. Since then, he has been working to initiate product design programs at the company's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2005, Ty posted his best individual national ranking (5th) and qualified for the 2005 World Championship Team to race the four-man kayak. His team posted a faster time than in 2003; but it became clear that dramatic changes were needed if they were to become internationally competitive. Under the direction of Nathan Luce, the national team coach, Ty and his teammates decided to relocate to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Ty's sister, Katie Hagler, is joining Ty in Chula Vista, also to pursue her Olympic Dream. Training year-round, with the goal of creating doubles and fours that will be in medal contention, both Ty and his sister have the 2008 Olympics in clear focus.
Ty is most appreciative of the US Athletic Trust's support. His wife Gayle, his family, the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club, the Georgia Tech community, and his associates at Home Depot are all cheering him on and wish him great success as he faces the tremendous challenges ahead.
