Don Laz

Donald Robert Laz (May 17, 1929 – February 21, 1996) was an American pole vaulter. He won a silver medal at the 1952 Olympics and a bronze at the 1955 Pan American Games. Domestically he held the NCAA title in 1951 and shared the AAU title in 1953. After retiring from competitions he worked as an architect in Champaign, Illinois, and retired after suffering a stroke.^[1]

Don Laz

Laz in 1951
Personal information
Born	May 17, 1929 Chicago, U.S.
Died	February 21, 1996 (aged 66) Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Illinois[1]
Height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	82 kg (181 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event	Pole vault
Achievements and titles
Personal best	4.65 m (1952i)[1]
Medal record Representing  United States Olympic Games 1952 Helsinki Pole vault Pan American Games 1955 Mexico City Pole vault

Competing for the Illinois Fighting Illini track and field team, Laz won the 1951 NCAA DI outdoor pole vault title.^[2]

Personal life

In January 1951 Laz married Nancy June Barber^[3] They had a son Doug, who also became a competitive pole vaulter.^[1]