Sam Kendricks

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Sam Kendricks

| image = Sam Kendricks Rio 2016b.jpg

| imagesize =

| caption = Kendricks at the 2016 Summer Olympics

| nationality = American

| birth_name = Samuel Hathorn Kendricks

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|9|7}}

| birth_place = Oceanside, California, U.S.

| hometown = Oxford, Mississippi, U.S.

| turnedpro = 2014

| height = 6 ft 1 in

| weight = 175 lb[https://www.rio2016.com/en/athlete/sam-kendricks Sam Kendricks] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826091538/https://www.rio2016.com/en/athlete/sam-kendricks |date=August 26, 2016 }}. rio2016.com

| country = {{USA}}

| sport = Track and field

| event = Pole vault

| club = Nike
[http://www.army.com U.S. Army]
[http://www.ust-essx.com UST-ESSX]

| collegeteam = University of Mississippi

| pb = Pole vault:

Outdoor

{{T&Fcalc|6.06}} (Des Moines 2019)

Indoor

{{T&Fcalc|6.01}} (Rouen 2020)

| medaltemplates =

{{Medal|Country|the {{USA}}}}

}}

Samuel Hathorn Kendricks (born September 7, 1992) is an American pole vaulter.{{cite web |url=https://www.teamusa.org/usa-track-and-field/athletes/sam-kendricks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730122215/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-track-and-field/athletes/Sam-Kendricks |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 30, 2016 |title=Sam Kendricks |website=teamusa.org |publisher=USOC |access-date=March 31, 2022}} He is a three-time indoor and six-time outdoor national champion (2014–2019), the 2016 Olympics bronze{{Cite web|last=Hipps|first=Tim|date=2016-08-18|title=Army Reserve officer takes Olympic bronze in pole vault|url=https://www.army.mil/article/173544/army_reserve_officer_takes_olympic_bronze_in_pole_vault|website=www.army.mil|accessdate=July 29, 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.flashresults.com/2015_Meets/Outdoor/06-25_USATF/026-1_compiled.htm|title=Men Pole Vault SR|work=flashresults.com|access-date=June 27, 2015}} and 2024 Olympics silver medalist, and the 2017 and 2019 World Champion. In 2019, Kendricks set the American pole vault record at 6.06 m,{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.org/News/2019/July/27/Sam-Kendricks-Sets-American-Record-And-Wins-Record-Sixth-Consecutive-Pole-Vault-National-Title|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728034756/https://www.teamusa.org/News/2019/July/27/Sam-Kendricks-Sets-American-Record-And-Wins-Record-Sixth-Consecutive-Pole-Vault-National-Title|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 28, 2019|title=Sam Kendricks Sets American Record And Wins Record Sixth Consecutive Pole Vault National Title|last=Shinn|first=Peggy|date=July 27, 2019|website=Team USA|access-date=July 30, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/sam-kendricks-pole-vault-606m|title=Kendricks tops 6.06m in Des Moines{{!}} News {{!}} iaaf.org|website=www.iaaf.org|language=en|access-date=July 30, 2019}} tying him with Steve Hooker for fourth all time. He later won the gold medal at the World Championships in Doha.

Early life

Kendricks vaulted for Oxford High School in his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi, leading his team to the 2009 MHSAA 5A State Championship. He vaulted {{T&Fcalc2|17|0}} to set the then-state record, later broken in 2023 by his brother John Scott with a vault of {{T&Fcalc2|17|1}}. Sam won the state meet outdoors in 2010 and 2011, and indoors in 2011. He also lettered in cross country and soccer. In 2011, he was named the Gatorade boys' high school track and field athlete of the year for Mississippi.

NCAA

While vaulting for the University of Mississippi, Kendricks won the 2013 and 2014 NCAA Championships.[http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/c-track/mtt/sam_kendricks_778555.html Sam Kendricks Bio – Ole Miss Rebels Official Athletic Site Ole Miss Rebels Official Athletic Site – Track & Field] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807032247/http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/c-track/mtt/sam_kendricks_778555.html |date=August 7, 2016 }}. Olemisssports.com. Retrieved on August 17, 2016. He broke both Ole Miss Rebels pole vault records as a freshman.[http://oxfordcitizen.com/2014/05/23/qa-ole-miss-sam-kendricks/ Oxford Citizen interview with Sam in 2014]. Oxfordcitizen.com (May 23, 2014). Retrieved on August 17, 2016. Kendricks announced that he would be turning pro in 2014.[http://www.clarionledger.com/story/olemisssports/2014/09/17/ole-miss-sam-kendricks-oxford-pole-vault-pro/15794331/ Sam announced his professional ambitions in 2014 with Nike]. Clarionledger.com (September 17, 2014). Retrieved on August 17, 2016.

Professional

=2015=

Kendricks set his personal best of {{T&Fcalc|5.86}} at the indoor 2015 Reno Pole Vault Summit. Kendrick uses a hand hold at {{T&Fcalc2|15|5}} and from his performance in Reno claims the "Push-off" World Record at {{T&Fcalc2|4|6}}.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150630184136/http://www.ust-essx.com/push-off-world-record "New push-off world record of {{convert|1.36|m|in|sp=us}} set on Essx Recoil Advanced"]. UST Essx (January 19, 2015). Retrieved September 5, 2021.[http://vaultermagazine.com/sam-kendricks-pole-vault-summit-2015/ Sam Kendricks Pole Vault Summit 2015]. VAULTER Magazine (January 19, 2015). Retrieved on August 17, 2016. He won the men's pole vault at 2015 US Outdoor Championships in {{T&Fcalc|5.75}}.[http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Results-by-Day/Results-FULL.aspx USATF Championships – 6/25/2015 to 6/28/2015 Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005155325/http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Results-by-Day/Results-FULL.aspx |date=October 5, 2016 }} usatf.org He won the prelims of the 2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's pole vault and finished 9th in {{T&Fcalc|5.65}}.

=2016=

After setting a personal best outdoors at the IAAF World Challenge in Beijing, at {{T&Fcalc|5.92}} Kendricks won the US Olympic Trials at {{T&Fcalc|5.91}}. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, he won the bronze medal.{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=u.s.+men%27s+track+and+field+athletes#mie=oly%2C%5B%22%2Fg%2F1269ntgdn%22%2C2%2C%22o%22%2C1%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C15%5D |title=Sam Kendricks wins 3rd place in Men's Pole Vault |access-date=August 16, 2016}} Kendricks also garnered attention during the Olympics when he stopped mid run during a pole vault attempt to stand at attention while "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played.{{cite web|last1=Stump|first1=Scott|title=US pole vaulter Sam Kendricks stops mid-stride to stand at attention for national anthem|url=http://www.today.com/news/u-s-pole-vaulter-sam-kendricks-stops-mid-stride-stand-t102073|website=Today News|date=August 22, 2016 |publisher=NBC|access-date=August 22, 2016}}

=2017=

File:Sam Kendricks London 2017.jpg title in London, England, UK.]]

On June 24, 2017, Kendricks became the 22nd person to join the six meters club by vaulting exactly {{T&Fcalc|6.00}} while winning the 2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, California.

=2019=

On July 27, 2019, Kendricks set the American pole vault record by jumping 6.06 m.

=2021=

Kendricks placed second in the US Olympic trials at {{convert|5.91|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=4}} tied with KC Lightfoot, however, he was tested positive for COVID-19 in the Olympic Village, and had to withdraw from the 2020 Summer Olympics as a result, missing the pole vault competition.{{Cite web|last=Siemaszko|first=Corky|date=2021-07-29|title=U.S. pole vault champ out of Games after positive Covid test|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/pole-vaulter-sam-kendricks-out-games-after-positive-covid-test-n1275358|access-date=2021-07-30|website=NBC News|language=en}}

=2024=

Leading up to the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials final Kendricks stated that he might be inclined to forgo the 2024 Olympics after his "bitter" experience from Tokyo 2020 when he claimed that his positive COVID-19 test had been a false positive and the USOC had done nothing to fight on his behalf.{{cite news | last=Kilgore | first=Adam | title=Bitter over 2021, pole vaulter Sam Kendricks may turn down Olympic bid | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2024-06-22 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2024/06/22/sam-kendricks-pole-vault-paris-olympics/ | access-date=2024-08-21}} On June 23, 2024, he won his 7th outdoor (11th overall) U.S. National Pole Vault championship by clearing {{T&Fcalc|5.92}} and earned an automatic bid for the Olympics.{{cite web | title=Results | website=Results | url=https://results.usatf.org/ | access-date=2024-08-21}} Shortly after the competition was over he confirmed that he would be going to Paris after all.{{cite web | last=Denney | first=Jarrid | title=Sam Kendricks wins 11th national title, sounds off on Olympic Games | website=Statesman Journal | date=2024-06-24 | url=https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/06/24/sam-kendricks-pole-vault-us-olympic-trials-paris-games/74188776007/ | access-date=2024-08-21}} In the 2024 Olympic Men's Pole Vault final he claimed the Silver Medal for Team USA by clearing a height of {{T&Fcalc|5.95}}.{{cite web | title="Mondo" Duplantis Shatters World Record, Defends Gold Medal, As Sam Kendricks Soars To Silver | website=Team USA | date=2024-08-06 | url=https://www.teamusa.com/news/2024/august/05/-mondo-duplantis-shatters-world-record-defends-gold-medal-as-sam-kendricks-soars-to-silver | access-date=2024-08-21}}{{cite web | last=Schnell | first=Lindsay | title=Sam Kendricks wins pole vault silver despite spikes puncturing hand | website=USA TODAY | date=2024-08-05 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/08/05/sam-kendricks-pole-vault-silver-punctured-hand/74681043007/ | access-date=2024-08-21}} He was bested by Armand "Mondo" Duplantis who set a new world record at {{T&Fcalc|6.25}}.

Personal life

Kendricks is the son of Scott and Marni Kendricks; his father is also one of his coaches. He has a twin brother, Tom.

On December 29, 2017, Kendricks married Leanne Zimmer in Oxford, MS.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

As of 2024, Kendricks is a member of the United States Army Reserve.{{cite web |title=Sam Kendricks: Athlete Bio |url=https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/sam-kendricks |website=Team USA |publisher=United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee |access-date=5 August 2024 |date=2024}}

Competition record

{{AchievementTable}}
colspan="6"\|Representing {{USA}}
2013 \|Summer Universiade \|Kazan, Russia \|bgcolor="gold"\|1st \|5.60
2015 \|World Championships \|Beijing, China \|9th \|5.65
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\| 2016 \|World Indoor Championships \|Portland, Oregon \| style="background:silver;"\| 2nd \|5.80
Summer Olympics \|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil \|bgcolor="cc9966" \|3rd \|5.85
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\| 2017 \|World Championships \|London, United Kingdom \|bgcolor=gold\|1st \|5.95
DécaNation \|Angers, France \|bgcolor=gold\|1st \|5.75
2018 \|World Indoor Championships \|Birmingham, United Kingdom \| style="background:silver;"\| 2nd \|5.85
2019 \|World Championships \|Doha, Qatar \|bgcolor=gold\|1st \|5.97
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\| 2024 \|World Indoor Championships \|Glasgow, United Kingdom \| style="background:silver;"\| 2nd \|5.90
Summer Olympics \|Paris, France \| style="background:silver;"\| 2nd \|5.95
2025 \|World Indoor Championships \|Nanjing, China \| bgcolor=cc9966\|3rd \|5.90

colspan="6"|Representing {{USA}}

2013

|bgcolor="gold"|1st

2015

|9th

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| 2016

|World Indoor Championships

|Portland, Oregon

| style="background:silver;"| 2nd

|5.80

Summer Olympics

|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

|bgcolor="cc9966" |3rd

|5.85

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| 2017

|World Championships

|London, United Kingdom

|bgcolor=gold|1st

|5.95

DécaNation

|Angers, France

|bgcolor=gold|1st

|5.75

2018

|World Indoor Championships

|Birmingham, United Kingdom

| style="background:silver;"| 2nd

2019

|bgcolor=gold|1st

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| 2024

|World Indoor Championships

|Glasgow, United Kingdom

| style="background:silver;"| 2nd

|5.90

Summer Olympics

|Paris, France

| style="background:silver;"| 2nd

|5.95

2025

|World Indoor Championships

|Nanjing, China

| bgcolor=cc9966|3rd

|5.90

References

External links

{{World Athletics}}
{{TFRRS|3719687|Sam Kendricks – Ole Miss}}
{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807032247/http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/c-track/mtt/sam_kendricks_778555.html |date=August 7, 2016 |title=Sam Kendricks at Ole Miss}}
{{USATF}}
{{Team USA|new_id=sam-kendricks|old_id=KE/Sam-Kendricks|archive=20220711233345}}
{{Olympics.com}}
{{Olympedia}}
{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224055609/http://www.teamkendricks.com/ |date=February 24, 2017 |title=Official website}}