Sam Kendricks is a perfect example of the American Dream. He is an American track and field athlete specializing in the pole vault.
Also, Sam is a two-time U.S. Indoor National Champion, back in 2014 and 2016.
Moreover, he won the 2016 U.S. Indoor National Champion, 2015 U.S. National Champion, and 2016 U.S. National Champion.
Besides, the super athlete has also set the U.S. Olympic Trials pole vault record.
To find out more about Sam Kendrick, let’s dig deeper into the information below.
Quick Facts
| Name | Sam Kendricks |
| Birthdate | September 7, 1992 |
| Siblings | Tom, Charli, and John |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Oxford, Mississippi, United States |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Country | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Scott Kendrick and Marni Kendrick |
| Body type | Athletic |
| Height | 185 cm/6’1″ |
| Weight | 79 kg/175 lb |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Hair color | Blonde |
| Skin | Fair |
| Profession | Pole vaulter |
| Sports | Track and Field |
| Events | Pole Vault |
| Education | Oxford Highschool University of Mississippi |
| Personal Best |
|
| Medal |
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| Outdoor record | 5.83m (South American Championship) |
| Rival | Piotr Lisek and Duplantis |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Wife | Leanne Zimmer |
| Marriage date | 2017 |
| Social Media | |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Merch | Poster |
| Last Update | November, 2024 |
Sam Kendricks – Early Life & Parents
On September 7, 1992, Sam was born to his father, Scott Kendrick, and mother, Marni Kendrick. Further, he was born and raised in the beautiful hometown of Oxford, Mississippi.
Moreover, Sam grew up with three siblings, Tom, Charli, and John. Besides, all of his siblings have competed in the Track and field. Likewise, Tom and Sam are twin brothers.
Additionally, when he was 13 years old, Sam’s father was the track and field coach of Oxford High School.
Besides, Sam’s competitive nature kept him and his brother Tom hanging around the Track.
Also, his father began to coach Sam with the girl’s pole vault training group by then. Sam and his father’s goal was to daybreak 13’7″, which was the school record.
Not to mention, he was fully supported by his family in sports activities from his childhood days.
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Sam Kendricks – Education
Sam enrolled in the Oxford Highschool located in Oxford, Mississippi. Additionally, he was a part of the school’s team, leading them to victory in the 2009 MHSAA 5A State Championship.
Further, Kendricks jumped 5.18m or 17 feet during the respective event. Thus, he was able to set the new state record.
Moreover, he would win the state outdoors in 2010, 2011, and indoors in 2011. Besides, Sam also spent his time playing soccer in high school.
Additionally, Sam was named athlete of the year and Gatorade boys’ high school track in 2011.
After completion of high school, Sam joined the University of Mississippi. During his high school career, he also won the 2014 and 2013 NCAA Championships during his University days.
In addition, Sam Kendrick would announce his professional ambitions in the pole vault in 2014. Also, he broke both of the Ole Miss revels pole vaults records during his freshman years.
Sam’s Inspiration was his father.
Sam Kendrick’s inspiration is his father, who is a former horseman and a Marine Pilot. Scott served America on three continents before settling in Mississippi.
The sport of Track and field and horses are lifelong passions for Scott Kendrick. Further, he is a disciplined and reflective individual. Thus, he could see what Sam needs to concentrate on to succeed.
Additionally, Scott guided Sam in similar ways to how a horse wears blinders to prevent distractions. Consequently, Sam had a focal point to improve to be a better athlete.
On the other hand, his father also vaulted during his high school days. However, his success was limited because the school only owned one pole.
Nonetheless, it did not stop his enthusiasm for pole volt. Sam would, later on, study the sport closely to make sure his athlete received the required training and facility.
Consequently, he won the MSSAA state meets eleven times over fourteen years. Besides, during his research period, Scott used to study Wladyslaw ‘Wally’ Kozakiewicz specifically.
Wally is a renowned Polish vaulter who won a gold medal at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. In addition, he also broke two world records during the same event.
Besides, Wally’s technique became a blueprint for Sam. This allowed him to execute the ability to push off his handgrip.
Short information on Sam’s mother
Sam Kendrick’s mother is the Associate Dean of Engineering at the University of Mississippi. Further, Marni could solve problems when difficulties arose. Also, she knew the crucial questions and where to get their answers.
Thus, Sam grew up in a creative environment built by his parents. Consequently, it allowed him to flourish and progress as he grew older.
Sam Kendricks – Marriage and Wife
Sam is a happily married man. He tied the knots with his long-time girlfriend Leanne Zimmer in 2017. Further, the couples have built a ranch on Sam’s parent’s property in Oxford, Mississippi.
The respective facility was built after Sam Kendrick’s won the 2017 World Championship. Nonetheless, the property is a vaulter’s dream destination surrounded by lush vegetation with towering oak trees.
Additionally, the area has a 36″ high-Velocity Sports pit with a 3″ top pad and a short Kanstet/Velocity Sport runway.
The facility was completed courtesy of Valery Bukerev and Bruce Caldwell. Besides, UST-ESSX poles and Richey standards completed the setup.
Nonetheless, despite his hobbies, Scott’s priority was to prepare Sam for top-level competition.
Sam Hendrick – Age, Height, and Body Measurements
As of 2024, Sam is currently 32 years of age.
Further, he has trained and prepared himself for numerous competitions. Thus, he has maintained an excellent physique at his age.
Moreover, he is also known to follow a strict diet to boost his stamina and endurance in training.
The astonishing athlete stands at 6 ft 1 inch and weighs around 79kg. To describe his overall look, Sam has blue color pair of eyes with Blonde hair.
Sam Kendricks – Career Background
Sam grew up on a Mississippi horse farm where his life went by in the rhythm of nature. Furthermore, the athlete progressed in the pole vault as he kept his lifestyle simple.
Kendricks spent most of his early career devoting himself to the sport of pole vault. Besides, in his junior year, Sam jumped 15’4.25 at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor.
Moreover, during his senior year, Sam jumped 17′, which was the highest height vaulted by a high schooler in the state.
Besides, he also earned an ROTC Scholarship and a spot on the track team at Ole Miss. Consequently, Sam’s horizon began to expand, and so did his goal.
Further, Sam also competed as a Rebel for three years. During this period, he won the national title two times.
Also, he won the USATF National Outdoors, NCAA’s, an SEC Championship in 2014. Thus, news began to spread that Sam’s technique was authentic and proven.
Consequently, this allowed him to expand his vision and compete professionally.
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No more breaking point
As Sam began his endeavor for greatness, it was time for a new carbon pole. Unfortunately, the ones who had used them before did not suit his humping style. Consequently, a series of 5 poles broke in a short period.
Thus, Sam did not have confidence in using them anymore. Further, his team reached out to the renowned Bruce Caldwell for help.
Bruce is known as the former owner and founder of ESSX poles. The company is an expert at making poles made for vaulters.
Besides, the company was small, and they only sold around a thousand poles per year. However, everything changed after Sam learned the company designed and manufactured poled for Wally Kozakiewicz.
Besides, at the time, Sam’s personal best was 19′. So, Bruce and Beto built the pole according to the athlete’s needs.
However, Sam was still unsure as he tried poles from different manufacturers. Consequently, Bruce and Beto made a second match and another trip to Oxford.
In addition, they insisted and challenged Sam to break the pole. Sam was surprised and took it for practice, and he even jumped his P.R. without breaking a sweat.
Thus, a new friendship and a partnership were born.
The story behind the picture
Sam Kendricks describes the photo as a unique memoir to him. He explains that most people at the event share the exact moment as he did.
Sam took the photo after winning the Diamond League Championship in Zurich. Further, he is also a winner of the U.S. outdoor and indoor world championships.
Kendricks explained that he went through many struggles to achieve his goals. In addition, he shares his experience of mistakes in the training and triumph in the competition.
Moreover, he states that the failure had taught and prepared him to jump higher. He said, and we quote,
“I think those struggles and failures in training unlocked the key to my successful year in 2017 and allowed me to be in this picture with these guys in Zurich.”
Sam Kendricks is also a First Lieutenant.
Apart from representing the red, white, and blue on the Track for his country, Sam is also the First Lieutenant in the Army Reserve.
It seems that the athlete had a kneen interest on providing the military service around the country.
Sam was also offered a scholarship from the Marines at Ole Miss. At the same time, he was a part of the Rebel Battalion, the most prominent collegiate unit in the U.S.
Furthermore, Sam’s staff officers provided him the latitude to maintain his NCAA competition schedule.
Sam Kendricks stopped mid-run during an Olympic event for the national anthem.
Sam, a former Ole Miss track star, won the bronze medal in the 2016 Olympic Games held in Rio.
During the event, he jumped at 19 feet and 2¼ inches. Thus, he became the first American athlete to accomplish it in 12 years.
Additionally, Sam is the only American to have stood mid-run during an Olympic event. The athlete overheard the national anthem and turned to the flag to show his respect.
The respective video has been watched more than 70k times on YouTube.
However, it is still unclear if Sam was penalized for the incident. Nonetheless, he still won the medal and was praised for his actions.
You can check the career stats of Sam on Milesplit sites.
Sam Kendricks – Net Worth
Sam has accumulated most of his fortune as a pole vaulter through his profession. Thus, he has been able to live a lavish lifestyle at his home in Oxford.
As of 2024, Kendricks’s estimated net worth stands at $5 million. Likewise, his salary amount is expected to be in the millions.
The athlete is also involved with various brands and endorsement deals from where he earns a good amount of money.
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Sam Kendricks – Social Media
Twitter: 9.7k Followers
Instagram: 67.5k Followers
Queries on Social Media
Is Sam a horse rider?
No, he is a professional pole vaulter.
Does Sam parent any children?
Currently, Sam and his wife do not intend to have any children.
Did Sam test Covid positive?
Before going for the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sam tested Covid-19 positive. After being positive, he had to withdraw from the competition. Matt Ludwig took the replacement of Sam Kendricks.
