History of Sam Kendricks in Timeline
Sam Kendricks is a highly accomplished American pole vaulter. He has won multiple national championships both indoors and outdoors, as well as Olympic bronze and silver medals. Kendricks achieved a remarkable feat in 2019 by setting the American pole vault record at 6.06 meters, a mark that places him among the top pole vaulters in history. His success extends to the world stage, where he claimed gold medals at the World Championships.
September 7, 1992: Birth of Sam Kendricks
Sam Kendricks was born on September 7, 1992.
2009: High School State Championship
Sam Kendricks led his high school team to victory in the MHSAA 5A State Championship in 2009, setting a state record in pole vaulting.
2010: State Championship Wins
Sam Kendricks continued his winning streak by securing victories in the state meet outdoors in 2010.
2011: State Championship Wins and Gatorade Athlete of the Year
Sam Kendricks won the state meet in both indoor and outdoor pole vaulting and was named the Gatorade boys' high school track and field athlete of the year for Mississippi in 2011.
2013: NCAA Championship Win
Sam Kendricks won the NCAA Championships in 2013 while vaulting for the University of Mississippi.
2014: Start of Professional Pole Vaulting Career
Sam Kendricks began his professional pole vaulting career, marking the start of his national and international success between 2014 and 2019.
2014: NCAA Championship Win and Turning Pro
Sam Kendricks won the NCAA Championships again in 2014 and subsequently decided to turn pro, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2015: Personal Best and US Outdoor Championship Win
Sam Kendricks achieved a personal best of 5.86 meters at the indoor Reno Pole Vault Summit in 2015 and went on to win the men's pole vault at the 2015 US Outdoor Championships.
2016: Olympic Bronze Medal and Patriotic Gesture
Sam Kendricks secured the bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He also drew attention for stopping mid-vault to stand at attention during the national anthem.
2016: Olympic Bronze Medalist
Sam Kendricks won the bronze medal in pole vaulting at the 2016 Olympic Games.
June 24, 2017: Joining the Six Meter Club
Sam Kendricks became the 22nd person to join the exclusive six meters club by clearing a height of 6.00 meters at the 2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
December 29, 2017: Marriage to Leanne Zimmer
Sam Kendricks married Leanne Zimmer in Oxford, MS on December 29, 2017.
2017: World Champion
Kendricks became a World Champion in pole vaulting in 2017.
July 27, 2019: American Pole Vault Record
Sam Kendricks set a new American pole vault record with an impressive jump of 6.06 meters on July 27, 2019.
2019: American Pole Vault Record
In 2019 in Des Moines, Sam Kendricks set the American pole vault record with a jump of 6.06 meters, tying him with Steve Hooker for fourth all time.
2019: World Champion and American Record Holder
In 2019, Kendricks achieved the title of World Champion and set the American pole vault record.
2020: Withdrawal from the Olympics Due to COVID-19
Sam Kendricks had to withdraw from the 2020 Summer Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19, missing the pole vault competition.
2023: State Record Broken by Brother
Sam Kendricks's brother, John Scott, broke his state pole vault record with a vault of 17 feet 1 inch in 2023.
2024: Member of the United States Army Reserve
As of 2024, Sam Kendricks is a member of the United States Army Reserve.
2024: Olympic Silver Medalist
Sam Kendricks won the silver medal in pole vaulting at the 2024 Olympic Games.