Ryan Ponsonby's road to coaching

If you're a coach that works with some of the world's best, you've usually had years of experience and success under your belt. Ryan Ponsonby, however, had a different journey to the start of his coaching career. Going through a transition time in his life after being an assistant to Jason Vigilante and looking for a job, he was able to provide daily guidance to Leo Manzano in the fall of 2008. The relationship has worked into a successful venture for both Leo as the athlete and Ponsonby as the coach. Ponsonby helped Leo end his '09 season with a runner-up finish at the World Athletic Final and also assisted Coach John Cook in Shannon Rowbury's Bronze medal performance at the World Championships in Berlin. After a year of learning from the unknowns, the group has grown and there are some great things to look forward to.