Sam Kendricks

American Record Holder and Elite Team Essx athlete Sam Kendricks hails from Oxford, Mississippi and is a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Sam successfully defended his world title at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha; he won gold at the 2017 IAAF World Championship and at the 2016 Rio Olympics Bronze medal. Not only has Sam had success recently, he has been a US champion 8 times. Sam set the new American Record at the 2019 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, IA at 6.06m/19’10.75”. Sam is a two-time Olympian, 2016 in Rio and 2021 in Tokyo.

Sam is the first athlete to clear 6.00m/19’8.25” on ESSX poles and he currently holds the World Record for clearance above his grip, nearly 5’, and the only athlete to clear 6.00m on a 4.90m / 16’1” pole. Sam was a NCAA champion and multiple time NCAA All-American for the University of Mississippi; he currently lives and trains in Oxford, Mississippi and his father, Scott Kendricks, is his coach.

Accolades:

• Highest World Ranking: 1 (58 weeks)
• 3-time NCAA Divison I Champion (2 outdoor, 1 indoor)
• 11-time USA Champion (7 outdoors, 4 indoors)
• 2-time World Champion (2017, 2019)
• 3-time World Indoor Silver Medalist (2016, 2018, 2024)
• 2024 World Indoor Championships Silver Medal
• 3-time Olympian (’16 Rio, ’21 Tokyo, ’24 Paris)
• 2016 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist
• 2024 Olympic Games Silver Medalist
• 2-time Diamond League Final Winner
• Member of the 6.00m/19’8.25” club (28 men in history)
• 1 of 8 men to clear 6.00m/19’8.25” indoors and outdoors

Personal Bests:

• Indoors – 6.01m/19’8.5”
• Outdoors – 6.06m/19’10.5”