Introduction
Sam Kendricks (born September 7, 1992) is an American pole vaulter. He is a three-time indoor and six-time outdoor national champion (2014–2019), the 2016 Olympics bronze 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, tying him with Steve Hooker for fourth all time. He later won the gold medal at the World Championships in Doha.
Prep
Kendricks vaulted for Oxford High School in his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi, leading his team to the 2009 MHSAA 5A State Championship. He vaulted 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m) to set the then-state record, later broken in 2023 by his brother John Scott with a vault of 17 ft 1 in (5.2 m). 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. He broke both Ole Miss Rebels pole vault records as a freshman. Kendricks announced that he would be turning pro in 2014.
Professional
2015
Kendricks set his personal best of 5.86 m (19 ft 2+1⁄2 in) at the indoor 2015 Reno Pole Vault Summit. Kendrick uses a hand hold at 15 ft 5 in (4.69 m) and from his performance in Reno claims the "Push-off" World Record at 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m). He won the men's pole vault at 2015 US Outdoor Championships in 5.75 m (18 ft 10+1⁄4 in). He won the prelims of the 2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's pole vault and finished 9th in 5.65 m (18 ft 6+1⁄4 in).
2016
After setting a personal best outdoors at the IAAF World Challenge in Beijing, at 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in) Kendricks won the US Olympic Trials at 5.91 m (19 ft 4+1⁄2 in). At the 2016 Summer Olympics, he won the bronze medal. 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.
2017
On June 24, 2017, Kendricks became the 22nd person to join the six meters club by vaulting exactly 6.00 m (19 ft 8 in) 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 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.
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.
As of 2024, Kendricks is a member of the United States Army Reserve.
Competition record
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing  United States | |||||
| 2015 | World Championships | Beijing, China | 9th | 5.65 | |
| 2016 | World Indoor Championships | Portland, Oregon | 2nd | 5.80 | |
| Summer Olympics | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 3rd | 5.85 | ||
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 1st | 5.95 | |
| DécaNation | Angers, France | 1st | 5.75 | ||
| 2018 | World Indoor Championships | Birmingham, United Kingdom | 2nd | 5.85 | |
| 2019 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 1st | 5.97 | |
| 2024 | World Indoor Championships | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 2nd | 5.90 | |